The Scottish National Party faces intense criticism after it emerged that an existing child abuse inquiry already possesses the authority to investigate grooming gangs, prompting accusations that ministers are playing politics with people's lives.
Existing Powers Revealed
Retired judge Lady Smith chairs the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), established a decade ago by the Nationalist government to examine institutional child abuse within living memory. Ministers have repeatedly faced accusations of blocking a specific inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland.
However, a spokesman for the SCAI confirmed to the Mail that the probe can investigate grooming provided the circumstances fall within its official terms of reference. This revelation raises significant questions about why SNP ministers have not yet directed the inquiry to utilise these powers.
Political Backlash and Survivor Testimony
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr led the criticism, stating: ‘The SNP need to stop playing politics with people’s lives by refusing to implement a grooming gangs inquiry in Scotland.’ He added, ‘It looks as though there might even be scope to do it within an inquiry they were responsible for setting up.’
The Scottish Conservatives have launched a public campaign demanding a full inquiry, urging victims and the public to support their petition. The campaign highlights the testimony of Fiona Goddard, a survivor who was trafficked from Bradford to Scotland. Ms Goddard, who secured convictions against her abusers, gave a first-hand account confirming that Scottish girls were also victims of grooming gangs.
She criticised First Minister John Swinney's apparent refusal to accept the scale of the problem in Scotland, calling the notion that grooming stops at the border insane.
Government Defence and Accusations of Misrepresentation
In response, a Scottish Government spokesman defended the focus on the SCAI's current remit, arguing that a wider investigation would take many more years to complete.
This controversy was further inflamed earlier this week when Justice Secretary Angela Constance was accused of misrepresenting the views of a child abuse expert while attempting to dismiss calls for a dedicated grooming gangs inquiry. The Labour government has also rejected extending its own inquiry into the matter to Scotland, citing devolved powers.
