SCOTLAND has joined England, Wales and Northern Ireland in creating buffer zones around reproductive health clinics.

The Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Act aims to prevent increasing intimidation of women seeking abortions by anti-choice activists protesting outside clinics by establishing a 200-metre buffer zone around such facilities.

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay’s Act has now received royal assent after winning cross-party backing from 118 MSPs last month.

Welcoming “a key milestone for women’s rights and reproductive rights in Scotland,” Ms Mackay said: “I was moved to introduce the legislation after seeing shocking footage of braying protesters with megaphones and banners shouting at women outside a hospital in broad daylight.

“I was shocked and angry and determined to put an end to it as soon as possible.

“It has been a long journey for us to get here and a lot of people have done a lot of crucial work to make it possible.

“I’m looking forward to being able to confirm a commencement date for my Act as soon as possible and ensuring that we stop the protests for good.”