Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance is facing intense criticism for posting social media content about a 'fabulous' festive holiday in Turkey while simultaneously battling for her political career over a deepening row about a grooming gangs inquiry.
Holiday Videos Amid Mounting Pressure
On her TikTok and Instagram accounts, Ms Constance shared short videos from a trip to the ancient city of Perge, near Antalya. In one clip, she smiles while giving a 360-degree view of the Roman and Greek ruins, telling followers the site was 'absolutely massive'. She highlighted the lack of signage, calling it a 'marvellous place to explore' where you could 'physically explore, climb and touch your surroundings'.
In a separate New Year's message, filmed in a similar rotating style, she wished her followers 'a guid New Year and good health and happiness for 2026'. The Scottish Government stated this was a 'few days’ personal holiday taken at the start of parliamentary recess'.
The Parliamentary Controversy and Inquiry
This festive activity comes as Ms Constance is under growing pressure to resign following allegations she misled the Scottish Parliament. The controversy stems from a Holyrood debate in September, where she claimed child protection expert Professor Alexis Jay shared her view that a specific grooming gangs probe in Scotland was unnecessary.
Professor Jay subsequently asked the Justice Secretary to correct the record. While a clarification was added to a government group's minutes, Ms Constance failed to correct the official parliamentary record, despite a ministerial duty to do so promptly. It also emerged she apologised to Professor Jay on a call without a civil servant present, a potential further breach of rules.
Political Backlash and Public Reaction
The situation escalated just before Christmas when Scotland's three Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code took the unprecedented step of unilaterally calling for a full investigation. This is the first time they have used this power since receiving it a year ago.
Political opponents were scathing. Scottish Labour's deputy leader, Jackie Baillie MSP, said: 'Victims who feel betrayed by Angela Constance’s utter failure to apologise will be disgusted to see her boring people on TikTok about a holiday.' A Scottish Tory spokesman added that while she is free to take a break, the 'real issue is that she continues to ignore serious concerns' about her handling of the scandal.
On social media, users accused her of being 'on the run', 'out of touch with ordinary people', and questioned why she was not representing constituents. Despite the furore, First Minister Humza Yousaf has backed his minister, insisting she would not mislead parliament.
The unfolding scandal presents a significant challenge for the Scottish Government, pitting the First Minister's support against the historic judgement of his independent advisers and mounting pressure from opposition parties and the public.
