Anti-abortion campaigners have accused the Scottish National Party (SNP) of acting like a totalitarian regime and making decisions based on the 'rule of the mob' after a last-minute cancellation of an event at its party conference.
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) had booked a fringe event in Aberdeen to discuss 'coerced abortion'. However, the SNP's chief executive, Callum McCaig, informed SPUC that the event had been canceled 'following concerns raised by SNP members.' The party stated on Monday night that the decision was made to ensure its conference would be 'a place where all members can feel comfortable.'
SPUC announced it is seeking legal advice, with a spokesperson asserting that no issues were raised by SNP conference organizers, including the chief executive, since August. The organization claims the SNP is making members and potential voters uncomfortable, particularly those who value freedom of speech, expression, and conscience. SPUC's event aimed to address the issue of coerced abortion, stating that no woman in Scotland should be pressured into having one.
The campaigners questioned the First Minister's stance on the issue, asking whether he agrees that Scottish women should be legally protected from coerced abortion and, if so, why a panel of expert women was canceled. They also inquired if the SNP believes women should not have specific legal protections against coerced abortion. SPUC characterized the cancellation of debate and valid viewpoints as behavior associated with totalitarian regimes, asserting that the 'rule of the mob has replaced the rule of law within the SNP.' The group believes the cancellation breaches the Equality Act.
John Deighan, SPUC chief executive, wrote to John Swinney, raising concerns about the party's leadership for 'effectively shutting down an essential discussion on how to protect women from abuse.' He stated that censoring an organization based on its lawful philosophical beliefs raises serious questions about discrimination and freedom of expression.
An SNP spokesman confirmed the decision to revoke permission for SPUC's fringe event, citing concerns raised by SNP members. The spokesman reiterated the party's desire for its conference to be a comfortable space for all members and acknowledged that the initial decision to allow the event did not achieve that.