John Swinney told The Herald the American vice president’s claim that a new Scottish act is making it illegal for people to pray in their homes is “just wrong”.
The First Minister’s comment come after JD Vance used his speech at an international security conference to reference Scotland’s safe access zone law as an example of ‘free speech in retreat.’
The American vice president told delegates at the global event on Friday that a Scottish Government letter was sent out to residents within the safe access zones stating that "private prayer" in their homes “would amount to breaking the law”.
The First Minister has now spoken out publicly and said Mr Vance was wrong and the issue of private prayer was discussed “extensively” in parliament during the passage of the bill into law.
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Mr Swinney told The Herald: “JD Vance is just wrong.
“That issue was extensively discussed in the course of the passage of the bill.
“On the letter that was sent to households, his claims were wrong and no such point was put across to residents about private prayer.”
Ministers did send out a letter to residents in the zones, however, it did not mention "private prayer".
There is no mention of this term anywhere in the act itself.
Instead, the letter stated: “Activities in a private place (such as a house) within the area between the protected premises …could be an offence if they can be seen or heard within the Zone and are done intentionally or recklessly.”
Speaking to other journalists, the First Minister added: “We’ve got an obligation to set the record straight where it’s incorrect and we’ve done that.
“We’ve got an absolute obligation to be truthful and candid in all that we say to parliament and we are.”
However, the First Minister also told The Herald he has “no plans” to make a statement in Holyrood on the issue but will answer any questions in the chamber.
Mr Swinney said: “I have no plans to make a proactive statement in the chamber but I’ve got an appointment at 12 tomorrow so you never know what I may be asked.”
Green MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the legislation to parliament, has previously told The Herald she will use her parliamentary position to “dispel myths” spread by the US vice president.
During an event in Glasgow this morning, the First Minister was also asked what his government is doing to improve abortion care in Scotland.
At the moment, abortion care in Scotland can only be provided for after 20 weeks in exceptional circumstances such as when a woman has a foetal anomaly but never for 'ground C' cases which covers 'social reasons' and can include rape victims.
Women have reported having to travel down to England for the care as a result.
The Herald also revealed last year only one doctor in Scotland has been trained to provide surgical abortions to the legal limit.
There have been calls to set up a surgical abortion facility and train more doctors.
However, campaign group Back Off Scotland feel action on this issue and improving abortion services in general is lacking, as they have claimed the women’s health minister has not been “forthcoming” with updates on improving the care.
Addressing their concerns today, Mr Swinney said: “These issues are subject to discussion of a working group that has been established by the minister of Women’s Health and we will look with care at what comes out of those proceedings.
“Abortion care is part of our existing health and care provisions and I have no plans to change that. It is part and parcel of the offering that we make and the buffer zones legislation was designed to recognise that a woman accessing those services should be able to do so without any additional sense of pressure and I think it’s important that is respected.”
