Hundreds join sexual health clinic counter-protest

A large counter demo developed after a Scottish Family Party protest outside the Sandyford Clinic

Hundreds of people have joined rival protests outside a sexual health clinic in Glasgow.

A small group of campaigners from the Scottish Family Party initially gathered outside the Sandyford clinic on Argyle Street.

A larger counter-demo then developed, with dancing and a sound system, as police kept the two groups apart.

Sandyford offers a range of services including abortion and transgender health care.

A small group of demonstrators initally gathered outside the clinic, carrying placards

The Scottish Family Party, which is led by former UKIP member Richard Lucas, carried out a mock "bricking up" of the clinic's entrance using cardboard boxes.

Cabaret Against The Hate Speech, which describes itself as a LGBTQ+ and ally group, urged people to join the counter protest, bringing along megaphones and instruments if they wished, to take part in a live karaoke.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers were in attendance at the planned protest on Sandyford Place, Glasgow, on Saturday, 11 March, 2023.

"There were no arrests and all involved have now left the location."

Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay is currently championing a bill in the Scottish Parliament that would set up "safe access zones" around healthcare settings that provide abortion services.