LABOUR were accused today of ‘political posturing’ for protesting against plans to axe Inverclyde Royal Hospital’s birthing unit.

Greenock and Inverclyde’s MSP Stuart McMillan blasted Labour for staging a demo this morning outside IRH.

He declared: “I believe my actions on this subject speak louder than the Labour party’s political posturing.”

The demo is against NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s proposal to force Inverclyde women to give birth at home or go to hospital in Paisley or Glasgow.

Labour said they wanted members of all political parties and none to support the protest against the health board’s £69 million slashing of services.

But Mr McMillan insisted he was working to try to save the unit.

He said: “I have met with the chairman and chief executive of the health board, arranged a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Shona Robison, and demanded a public meeting for local people to discuss these proposals.

“I have also encouraged constituents to take part in the current engagement process, and strongly advise that more people do so.”

The SNP MSP added: “I will also be attending a further meeting with health board officials this Monday to again put forward my concerns about these proposals.”

West of Scotland Labour MSP Neil Bibby said it was important to send a strong message to the board about the unit.

He said Inverclyde people have expressed their concerns to him about the threat to the service.

Mr Bibby said: “The fight to protect this important local service goes on. That’s why we organised a protest outside the IRH. The reality is that the future of our local hospitals depends on maintaining key services.”

He said SNP Health Secretary Shona Robison “needs to be under no illusions about how important the birthing unit and the IRH are to people in Inverclyde”.

Former Provost Ciano Rebecchi attended the demo.

The LibDem councillor said: “We need to work together to protect our hospital services. Forget about the politics – we need to unite and show the health board that the people of Inverclyde do not want our services being transferred to Paisley or Glasgow.”