Arrested anti-abortion protester ‘willing to go to jail’

A girl who was arrested for participating in an anti-abortion protest outdoors of the Queen Elizabeth College Hospital in Glasgow has mentioned she is ready to go to jail over the offence.

Rose Docherty, 74, grew to become the primary individual to be arrested and charged underneath a brand new legislation which creates buffer zones outdoors Scottish abortion clinics in February.

She has rejected a proper warning from the Crown Workplace – arguing that it was “unjust” – and is ready to search out out what motion might now be taken in opposition to her.

Medical doctors on the hospital have previously told BBC Scotland News that the protests, which have been held outdoors the hospital for practically 10 years, have been upsetting and intimidating for sufferers and workers.

The Abortion Companies (Protected Entry Zones) Act prevents any protests or vigils from happening inside 200m (650ft) of 30 clinics across the nation.

Anybody who breaks the buffer zones legislation may very well be fined as much as £10,000 or a vast quantity in additional severe instances.

Ms Docherty was arrested near the Queen Elizabeth College Hospital (QEUH) on 19 February.

She had been holding an indication that mentioned “Coercion is a criminal offense, right here to speak, solely if you need”.

In her first broadcast interview for the reason that arrest, she mentioned she had “no motive to remorse” the incident.

She advised BBC’s Scotcast that the arrest was an “alarming” and “surreal” expertise.

Ms Docherty added: “I do not really feel I used to be breaking the legislation as a result of I really feel this legislation is an unjust legislation.

“I used to be simply standing with an indication that was stating a indisputable fact that coercion is a criminal offense.

“I used to be there to talk with folks provided that they needed to talk with me. I wasn’t approaching anybody, I wasn’t behaving in a fashion that was intimidating or harassing anybody.”

Dr Greg Irwin, a physician on the QEUH, was pictured confronting a group of protestors in February 2023, saying that they “trigger emotional upset to sufferers, but additionally to workers members”.

He added: “One in three girls will make use of abortion healthcare, so judgemental protests on the hospital gates have an actual and ugly impact, significantly on these workers members.

“However in addition they have an effect on different workers, like myself, who discover it infuriating to know that there are protesters outdoors the hospital intimidating sufferers on their approach in.

“It is such an unbelievably merciless and unkind factor to do, and it bothers me all through the protest interval.”

The anti-abortion protests are sometimes linked to the 40 Days for Life group – though Ms Docherty denied that she was a member of the US-based organisation.

Following her arrest, the Crown Workplace despatched her a letter which contained a proper warning.

It mentioned the procurator fiscal had determined in opposition to bringing Ms Docherty earlier than a court docket and if she accepted the warning she wouldn’t be prosecuted.

“I mentioned I wasn’t accepting a warning as a result of it is unjust,” she mentioned.

“I might be ready to go to jail. I don’t know what may occur.

“I am ready to see what is going on to develop from having written again to the procurator fiscal so it is as much as them to see what their subsequent step is.”

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act got here into pressure final September.

It was drawn up by Scottish Inexperienced MSP Gillian Mackay, who mentioned girls searching for the process have been subjected to “completely unacceptable abuse and obstruction” outdoors hospitals.

It’s a legal offence to behave in ways in which may affect the selections of girls and workers to entry companies inside the buffer zones.

Stopping girls and workers from coming into the clinics or in any other case inflicting alarm, harassment or misery can also be an offence.

Gillian Mackay mentioned sufferers and workers had advised her that they nonetheless need to cross the protestors when attending the QEUH and “shared comparable misery to what we heard throughout the passage of the invoice”.

She added: “I feel it is applicable that we take these issues significantly and the federal government check out whether or not an extension is suitable or not.”

A Scottish authorities spokeswoman mentioned the act permits ministers to increase the scale of a buffer zone whether it is determined that the present zone isn’t enough.

She added: “Nonetheless, earlier than taking such a step, it’s important that ministers are glad such an extension is suitable.

“We’ve engaged with the related well being board to know any impacts the anti-abortion exercise outdoors of the secure entry zone could also be having on sufferers and workers.”

Ms Docherty denied that she had intentionally sought to be arrested for publicity, regardless of it happening simply days after US Vice-President JD Vance highlighted the law for example of free speech is Europe being “in retreat”.

When requested about sufferers or workers feeling intimidated by the protestors, Ms Docherty mentioned: “If they are saying they really feel that approach then they have to really feel that approach, I am not answerable for their emotions.

“However I do know that my intention isn’t to try this, I am standing peacefully and quietly.”

She added: “We all know that girls have modified their minds as a result of one thing has given them pause for thought.

“If somebody is being influenced, it appears to level to the truth that their thoughts is not made up.”

She mentioned that transferring to a different location farther from the hospital would make the group much less seen, that means their “supply of assist” was much less seen.

“Folks say we should always go to the Scottish parliament, however that is not the place the assistance is required,” she added.

A spokesperson for the Crown Workplace and Procurator Fiscal Service mentioned: “The procurator fiscal has acquired a report regarding a 74-year-old in relation to an alleged incident on 19/02/2025.

“The report stays underneath the consideration of the procurator fiscal.”