Campaigners return to court over home abortion pills

An anti-abortion group that lost its legal challenge against a Scottish Government move to allow women to take abortion pills at home is to return to court.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) believes the decision by ministers to enable women to self-administer the drug misoprostol is unlawful and a threat to their health.

Judge Lady Wise rejected the group’s arguments following a hearing at the Court of Session last May.

The SPUC is appealing against the decision and will return to the Edinburgh court on Tuesday.

Chief executive of SPUC Scotland John Deighan said: “Clearly, the original decision was disappointing but it has always been our intention to fight this case all the way.

“After thorough consideration of the judgment and in tandem with legal advice we are now ready for the appeal.

“We owe it to our supporters who continue to make donations to cover our legal costs.”

The SPUC will argue that taking an abortion-causing drug at home is not consistent with the Abortion Act of 1967.