Labour Demands Clarity on Inquiry into Grooming Gangs in Scotland

Scottish Labour is urging the Scottish Government to clarify its position regarding a potential inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland. The call for clarification will come during a parliamentary debate scheduled for Wednesday, where Labour will also advocate for independent oversight of Police Scotland’s ongoing review into group-based sexual exploitation of children.

Labour’s justice spokeswoman, Pauline McNeill, emphasized the need for clarity on what she termed a “vitally important issue.” She stated, “Victims of child abuse must be at the very forefront of everything we do.” McNeill criticized Justice Secretary Angela Constance for allegedly misrepresenting the views of Professor Alexis Jay, who has played a significant role in child sexual abuse inquiries in both England and Wales.

McNeill demanded that Constance publicly clarify the Scottish Government’s stance on the inquiry into grooming gangs. She pointed out that this lack of clarity undermines confidence in the government’s deliberations moving forward. The Labour party’s concerns were heightened by Constance’s previous statements regarding Professor Jay’s views. During a debate on September 16, 2023, Constance suggested that Professor Jay opposed further inquiries into child sexual abuse and exploitation, citing the extensive resources already devoted to past reviews.

However, minutes from the meeting of the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group in October revealed that Professor Jay’s comments were made in a different context. The minutes indicated that the co-chair clarified that the views attributed to Professor Jay were relevant to her work in England and Wales and did not pertain to the Scottish context or the ongoing debate regarding the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.

McNeill expressed her concern, stating, “This issue is far too important to be muddied by misquotes and misinformation.” She called on Constance to explain the apparent discrepancies regarding Professor Jay’s stance and to confirm whether the Scottish Government intends to conduct an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland.

In a recent statement, First Minister John Swinney indicated that the government would articulate its position on the inquiry before Christmas. Swinney mentioned that he had been briefed by police and an expert in the field, acknowledging the increasing calls for an investigation. He affirmed that the government is “giving every serious consideration to this important issue.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government reiterated the administration’s commitment to child protection. They stated, “The Scottish Government’s absolute priority is protecting children from harm and tackling sexual abuse and exploitation in all of its forms.” Ongoing work by the expert group is focused on evaluating previous inquiries and practices across various sectors, including social work, education, police, and healthcare. This assessment aims to prioritize actions and recommendations for national improvement.

Police Scotland is also undertaking a review of relevant investigations to ensure that any future decisions regarding independent inquiries are informed by evidence-based assessments. This collective effort aims to guarantee accountability and transparency in addressing the serious issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation in Scotland.