Government to review evidence on grooming gangs in Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced a national review of evidence on the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland.

The review will be carried out by an independent expert and will inform a decision on whether there should be a judge-led public inquiry.

It was announced in the Scottish Parliament during a Scottish Labour-led debate into transparency in tackling group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Professor Alexis Jay, who chaired the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales and is working on Scotland’s national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group, will lead the review.

Speaking in the chamber Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Professor Jay told me that at the current time we do not have an accurate picture of the nature and the extent of child sexual abuse in Scotland, as indeed is the case elsewhere across the United Kingdom.

“She went on to state that establishing this would allow us to make an informed choice about the necessity of an inquiry.

“I am therefore pleased to confirm to Parliament today that Professor Alexis Jay has accepted the role of the independent chair for the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation strategic group.”

First Minister John Swinney said last week that the Scottish Government’s “position” on a grooming gangs inquiry would be stated before Christmas.

He said he had been briefed by police and a leading expert amid growing calls for an inquiry, and told the chamber his Government was “giving every serious consideration to this important issue”.

Ms Gilruth said: “I can also announce today that ministers will be directing the Care Inspectorate, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, His Majesty’s Constabulary and Health Improvement Scotland to conduct a national review.

“I have today written to opposition leaders and spokespeople to offer a briefing with Professor Alexis Jay and with Police Scotland on this work to take place early in the new year.”

Scottish Labour MSP Pauline McNeill welcomed the announcement, but added: “What a complete mess the Government have got themselves into today. They’ve had to cave in and now they’ve done what they should have done in the first place, and that’s an independent review.

“Despite this, Scottish Labour does welcome this last-minute announcement that Professor Jay will lead a review of the handling of complaints against grooming gangs, which could lead to an inquiry.”

At the beginning of November a victim of alleged grooming gangs in Glasgow wrote to Mr Swinney saying she and her friends were plied with alcohol and drugs and sexually abused by at least 10 men.

Taylor, who was 13 at the time, said in the letter she had been “deeply disappointed” by the First Minister and Police Scotland, accusing both of dismissing her complaints.

She called for a national inquiry.

The Scottish Conservatives have been calling for a Scotland grooming gang inquiry and tried to add an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill in September to bring one about, but it was rejected by the Government.

Speaking in Parliament during the debate, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay repeated calls for an inquiry.

He said: “The victims I’ve spoken with also have no faith in the Scottish Government’s strategic group on child sexual abuse.

“They see it as a talking shop and controlled by the very same authorities who failed to protect them, and they’re angered at the Justice Secretary misrepresenting the views of grooming gangs expert Professor Alexis Jay, who today spoke publicly about the need for urgent action, and I believe the Justice Secretary’s position is no longer tenable.”

Mr Findlay continued: “John Swinney can and he should instruct a robust and independent dreaming gangs inquiry without any further delay, end Scotland’s conspiracy of silence.”