Ministers must ‘urgently clarify’ stance on grooming gangs inquiry, says Labour

Scottish Labour is to call on the Government to “urgently clarify” its stance on whether an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland will be held.

The party will make the plea in a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, which it will also use to call for independent oversight of the Police Scotland review into group-based sexual exploitation of children.

Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: “We urgently need clarity on this vitally important issue.

“Victims of child abuse must be at the very forefront of everything we do. However, it is clear that the Justice Secretary has not provided an accurate representation of the views expressed by the eminent Professor Jay.

“Angela Constance must set out the Scottish Government’s position on this crucial issue, to ensure that we can have confidence in deliberations going forward.

“We are also calling for there to be independent oversight of Police Scotland’s review of historic and current cases, so that they are not effectively marking their own homework.”

Labour is calling for Ms Constance to explain her comments on Prof Alexis Jay, who chaired the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales and has ongoing work on Scotland’s national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group.

During a Scottish Parliament debate in September, Ms Constance told MSPs Prof Jay “shares my view and has put on the record and stated to the media that she does not support further inquiries into child sexual abuse and exploitation, given the significant time and resource already spent in the review that she led, the Casey audit and other reviews”.

However, minutes from the Scottish Government’s national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group meeting in October, of which Prof Jay is a member, stated: “During the debate on the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill in Parliament on September 16, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice quoted the views of Professor Alexis Jay on calls for further inquiries into child sexual abuse.

“Co-chair clarified that Professor Jay shared these views in January of this year in the context of her work on the independent inquiry in England and Wales and was not related to the debate on the Victims Bill or the position in Scotland.”

Ms McNeill said: “This issue is far too important to be muddied by misquotes and misinformation. The Justice Secretary must provide an explanation as to why she appears to have painted an inaccurate picture of Professor Jay’s views – and, indeed, tell us whether the Scottish Government will conduct an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland.”

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

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

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government’s absolute priority is protecting children from harm and tackling sexual abuse and exploitation in all of its forms.

“The current work of the expert National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group, is considering previous inquiries, evidence and practices across social work, education, police and healthcare to prioritise and agree further actions and recommendations for national improvement.

“Police Scotland is also reviewing recent relevant investigations.

“Their collective work will ensure informed evidence-based decisions are taken on the need for further independent inquiries or reviews.”