BUFFER ZONES around abortion clinics passed their final legal  hurdle today after Holyrood passed “seismic” new legislation.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill was brought forward by Green MSP Gillian MacKay to curb anti-abortion protests – long cited as an intimidatory presence – outside health centres.

Thirty sites across Scotland will now have 200m exclusion zones for protest, as the plans won overwhelming backing from across the chamber after being amended to include a review every three years.