An SNP MSP has been accused of hijacking a campaign to help parents cope with baby loss to promote his anti-abortion views. John Mason put terminations in the same category as miscarriage and stillborn deaths as he called for “equality” for all “unborn babies”.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Anti-choice campaigners will take every opportunity to undermine abortion rights, and this parliamentary motion from the SNP’s John Mason is the latest example. Access to safe and legal abortion must be protected in Scotland. The alternative is unsafe abortion. There are MSPs who would roll back these rights give the opportunity.”
The Baby Loss Memorial Book, announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, is for those who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss before 24 weeks. Parents will be able to apply for a commemorative certificate which is intended to give recognition and comfort to those who want to record their loss.
Sturgeon has spoken movingly in the past about her own miscarriage. In a Holyrood motion, Mason used the initiative to make points about abortion, which he opposes.
It read: “That the Parliament notes and welcomes the launch of a Baby Loss Memorial Book to mark a pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks; believes, however, that, in the case of abortion, some people do not consider that a baby is a baby prior to 24 weeks and use terms such as foetus, rather than baby; considers that it is a tragedy when any baby loses its life before birth, whether because of miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or abortion, and hopes for what it sees as more equality for all unborn babies in the future.”
Lennon blasted: “The campaign for the Baby Loss Memorial Book announced by Nicola Sturgeon was led by women who have experienced miscarriage. It is disgraceful that Mr Mason is hijacking this as a platform for his anti-abortion stance.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
