Nicola Sturgeon urged to reaffirm Scottish support for abortion to UK Government

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to reaffirm Scotland's support for abortion rights to the UK Government after Tory ministers were accused of causing a diplomatic spat over the issue.The Foreign Office has faced growing pressure in recent days after commitments to sexual health rights were removed from a multi-country statement on gender equality.Labour MSP Katy Clark has written to the First Minister to ask her to raise the issue with the UK Government "at the earliest opportunity".A diplomatic row broke out after 20 countries signed a statement following a UK-hosted conference on freedom of religion earlier this month.

The original version included a commitment to repeal laws that “allow harmful practices, or restrict women’s and girls’ … sexual and reproductive health and rights, bodily autonomy”.But those phrases were removed from a later version of the international pact - prompting outrage from pro-choice campaigners and politicians.In her letter to the First Minister, Clark said: "The removal of such key commitments at a time when access to abortion worldwide is under serious threat following the reversal of Roe v Wade is alarming. "In Scotland, as you are aware, we are experiencing unprecedented levels of harassment of women attending sexual health clinics. "In this climate we cannot leave this revision of the original Policy Paper unchallenged."I understand that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has given the reason for the revisions as avoiding ambiguity in the original document. "There is nothing ambiguous in committing to women’s rights to control over their own bodies and health. "I hope you will be able to raise this matter with the UK government at the earliest opportunity."Sturgeon and her