Although the Scottish Parliament recently rejected the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill at stage one, the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, which supported the bill, acted in good faith when it mattered.
In a statement released on 2 Feb 2026, titled “The Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill is about protection and real support,” the conference, which comprises Bishops of the 8 dioceses across Scotland with Bishop John Keenan of Paisley as President, expressed their support for the bill.
Sponsored by Independent MSP Ash Regan at the Scottish Parliament, the “unbuyable bill” sought to criminalise paying for sexual services, repealing the existing offence of soliciting the same.
Independent MSP Ash Regan, Scottish Parliament. Credit: News.stv.tv
The Bishops rose to defend the dignity of the human person created in the image and likeness of God in consonance with the teachings of the Church as handed down through divine revelation, sacred scripture and the magisterium of the Church.
The prelates disclosed that they “have written to the First Minister of Scotland expressing support for Ash Regan’s Bill, describing it as a vital step in addressing the harm linked to prostitution.”
According to the conference, “this is about reducing harm, challenging demand, and offering real pathways to freedom and recovery.”
They maintained that “Crucially, the Bill also establishes a statutory right to support — including accommodation, healthcare, financial assistance, and counselling — helping people exit prostitution safely and rebuild their lives.”
Citing its moral implications, especially that it turns an eye from those who are affected, they insisted that “the Bill shifts the focus away from those who are exploited and onto those who create demand — criminalising buyers, not sellers — while repealing outdated offences that penalised vulnerable individuals.
Official Media Campaign Poster in Support of the Bill. Credit: The Office of Communications and Evangelisation: The Bishop’s Conference of Scotland
Accordingly, the conference determined that “It recognises the reality that many involved in prostitution face serious vulnerabilities, including trauma, abuse, grooming, and increasing risks from online and technology-facilitated exploitation.”
On 3 February, the BBC reported that the proposed legislation, which would have criminalised paying for sexual services, was rejected by 64 votes to 54, with no abstentions in the crunch Holyrood vote.
The MSP’s attempt to implement the “Nordic model” in Scotland failed. Reacting to the outcome in a passionate closing speech, Regan reportedly indicated that the vote would “stain” the records of those who did not support the bill.
