(Image: PA)
John Swinney is under pressure to reverse the SNP’s “unlawful” ban on a coerced abortion event amid the threat of legal action.
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) was due to host an event, cleared by SNP executives, at the party’s conference in Aberdeen on Saturday, October 17.
The UK’s largest anti-abortion group had paid to host the event back in August where it would highlight the gap in Scotland’s legal framework for no criminal offence for men who coerce women into having abortions.
However, the group was informed the event had been cancelled following backlash from a women’s group.
The SNP has been told it could be taken to court as the party faces allegations that it breached the Equality Act 2010.
Now, the SPUC chief executive John Deighan has written to First Minister John Swinney to demand he intervenes in the decision to “censor” the anti-abortion group.
The SNP has committed to ending the violence against women and girls (VAWG), however SPUC has said pulling the plug on its event “does a grave disservice to the victims of reproductive coercion who deserve to have their voices heard and their protections strengthened”.
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Mr Swinney is also told that the cancellation is “unlawful”, with Mr Deighan stressing: “Censoring an organisation based purely on its deeply held, lawful philosophical beliefs raises serious questions regarding discrimination and freedom of expression.
“SPUC is currently seeking formal legal advice on this matter, as we believe this decision directly infringes on our rights set out in the Equality Act.”
The SNP said the decision to grant SPUC permission to host the fringe event was “wrong”.
SPUC leaders have said they liaised extensively with SNP officials, including the party’s chief executive Callum McCaig, when the event was first booked in August.
No concerns were raised by leadership at that point.
It followed concerns from Women for Independence (WFI), while a petition calling for the organisation’s removal received 250 signatories. SNP MSPs Emma Roddick and Karen Adam also backed the calls.
WFI had urged for the fringe event to be cancelled stating that it was “being presented as raising awareness on ‘the reality of coerced abortion’, this is merely a progressive veil for their outdated and bigoted beliefs”.
The campaign group added: “The organisation is against the widespread use of contraception, morning after pills, abortion decriminalisation, most forms of sex education, and advocates for heavy restrictions to be placed on women’s access to abortion.”
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But in the letter to the First Minister, Mr Deighan said the SPUC had “deep concern” over the SNP’s decision.
“Our proposed event was set to address an issue of critical importance: ending coerced abortions in Scotland. Coercion is a severe and often hidden form of abuse where women are pressured, manipulated, or forced into ending a pregnancy against their will,” the letter said.
“This is a vital safeguarding issue that directly impacts the welfare, mental health, and agency of women across Scotland. It is a matter that should transcend party politics and command the attention of all lawmakers.”
It added: “SPUC is currently seeking formal legal advice on this matter, as we believe this decision directly infringes on our rights set out in the Equality Act.
“As leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, you have championed a Scotland that is fair, inclusive, and tolerant of diverse viewpoints. You have also publicly made it clear that you want to end violence against women and girls.
“Coerced abortion is an extreme version of VAWG. I urge you to intervene personally and immediately to reverse this decision, ensuring that this vital discussion on safeguarding women can proceed as planned.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “Following concerns being raised by SNP members we have taken the decision to revoke permission to SPUC to hold a fringe event at our conference.
“We want SNP conference to be a place where all members can feel comfortable and it is clear our initial decision was wrong as it did not achieve that.”