Trump's VP criticises Scotland's abortion buffer zones

However, Mr Vance used the legislation as an example of free speech "in retreat" across Europe. An anti-abortionist, Mr Vance has previously called for a complete ban of abortion in America. 

Campaigners and politicians have since criticised the vice president for "shameless misinformation". 

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The vice president claimed people in Scotland were told that private prayers in their own homes would be against the law within a safe access zones.

Mr Vance claimed that people were encouraged to report anyone they thought guilty of "thought crime". 

Addressing journalists today at an international security event in Munich, Mr Vance said: "This last October, just a few months ago, the Scottish Government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so-called Safe Access zones warning them that even private prayer within their homes may amount to breaking the law. 

"Naturally, the government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thought crime. In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat." 

The legislation has never infringed upon a person's right to privately pray in their own home. 

The law does, however, cover using any "areas" in a buffer zone to publicly display anti-abortion messages and distressing images as it can be seen as aimed at women in the public space. 

Those who break the law may be fined up to £10,000 under summary procedure.

The Scottish Government has since said the comments made by the American vice president are wrong. 

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Vice President’s claim is incorrect. Private prayer at home is not prohibited within Safe Access Zones and no letter has ever suggested it was.”

“Safe Access Zones are designed to safeguard a woman’s right to access healthcare and protect their right to dignity and respect when they need it most.

“People continue to have the right to protest and to free speech, however, no one has the right to harass women, or to try to influence without consent their decision to access healthcare, or to impede their access to it in any way.

“The Act, passed overwhelmingly by Parliament, has been carefully drafted to capture only intentional or reckless behaviour close to a small number of premises providing abortion services. It does not – and has never been intended to – criminalise any particular action, including silent prayer.”

Lucy Grieve, co-founder of Back Off Scotland which campaigned for years to introduce the zones into Scotland said the vice president's comments were "absolutely unbelievable". 

Ms Grieve and her campaign group have collected many testimonies from women who have sought the healthcare in Scotland and have been traumatised by anti-abortionist campaigners outside abortion providers. 

Ms Grieve added: "We've previously said that attacks from Donald Trump and his team on reproductive rights would happen...but I don't think we ever thought it would come this early. 

"Frankly it's terrifying and it completely misrepresents the facts of what the Scottish buffer zone law is designed for and also interferes with law which was democratically passed in our parliament by a very large majority. 

"How can it be right that the US vice president is trying to interfere in this way?

"To me it seems ironic given what he is saying in terms of free speech. His comments today usher in a scary new era of the US trying to influence the roll-back of hard won abortion rights." 

Green MSP Gillian Mackay who brought forward the legislation in Scotland said Mr Vance's comments are "dangerous". 

Ms Mackay said: “This is shocking and shameless misinformation from VP Vance, who is either very badly informed about what my Act has done or he is knowingly misrepresenting it. 

"He is one of the most powerful people in the world but he is peddling total nonsense and dangerous scare mongering.

“Nobody should be intimidated or harassed when accessing healthcare, and I am proud that my Act has put a stop to the graphic banners and the protests that far too many people were being forced to pass in order to access healthcare.

“I was proud that our Parliament voted to back safe access zones so overwhelmingly, and that they stood against the cynical lies and misrepresentation of the kind that Mr Vance is promoting.

Ms Mackay added: “The government that Mr Vance represents is a clear threat to reproductive rights. He has a shocking record on abortion and many other issues. He has supported calls to reduce access to healthcare and has even argued for a national ban on abortion rights across the US.

“Abortion rights are human rights and they are healthcare. Today and every day I will stand with the millions of people across the US who oppose the misogynistic and anti-choice agenda of Donald Trump and JD Vance.”