WE'VE HAD BELLYFUL OF THEIR CRUELTY

Consultant demands action on buffer zones at abortion. Clinics as extremists plan another 40 days of harassment

-  RUTH SUTER

A DOCTOR is leading urgent calls for buffer zones around abortion clinics after a pro-life religious group announced plans for another round of protests outside hospitals in Glasgow.

Texas-based anti-abortion campaigners 40 Days For Life confirmed they will gather outside a number of hospitals and clinics offering safe abortion services in the city from next week until November 5.

In February, the group were slammed for their "prayer vigil" outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where members held graphic placards reading "Don't be coerced into abortion" with images of foetuses.

Dr Greg Irwin, a consultant at the QUEH, furiously clashed with the protesters at the time, branding their demo "harassment" and told them they were upsetting patients.

Dr Irwin called on the Scottish Government to take swift action to implement buffer zones around facilities to protect women.

He told the Record: "We urgently need these buffer zones around our hospitals to protect our sisters and our daughters - it's the least they deserve.

"It's sickening that these protesters are planning to come back to harass women accessing healthcare.

"I know for a fact that many staff here have had a bellyful of their cruelty.

In April, First Minister Humza Yousaf shared his "unequivocal" support for plans to create buffer zones outside abortion clinics in an effort to push back protesters.