A Scottish Conservative MSP has branded Angela Constance’s handling of the grooming gangs scandal in Scotland “nothing short of a farce”.
Speaking to GB News, Meghan Gallacher hit out at the Justice Secretary for her “lack of interest” on the issue, adding the Government’s position is “no longer tenable”.
Ms Constance sparked controversy after claiming that Professor Alexis Jay “did not support” an inquiry into the grooming gangs in Scotland.
Ms Jay has since set the record straight and said it is an “urgent” matter, resulting in Labour MP Joani Reid calling for Ms Constance to “resign”.
Asked by GB News National Reporter Charlie Peters whether the Justice Secretary should resign, Ms Gallacher said: “I think the behaviour shown by the Justice Secretary has been nothing short of a farce.
“There’s been circumstances where the Justice Secretary should have come to Parliament in order to answer questions by opposition MSPs, and instead she sent a junior minister to go out and do her bidding for her.
“I think that shows the lack of interest that’s been shown by the Justice Secretary in relation to grooming gangs.”
Hitting out at the Scottish Government’s position on grooming gangs, she added: “I do believe that the Government’s position overall is no longer is untenable because of the intervention, not just from Professor Alexis Jay, but of course, the unprecedented intervention by the NSPCC last week who came out to say that we do not know the true scale or nature of grooming gangs in Scotland.
Meghan Gallacher has hit out at Justice Secretary Angela Constance amid calls for a grooming gangs inquiry in Scotland
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PA / GB NEWS
“So it’ll be interesting to see how this debate develops this afternoon, and whether or not the Justice Secretary will actually show up for this debate, or if she is going to send out a junior minister once more.
“Because, again, we need leadership, and the Scottish Government have not shown leadership in this area.”
Highlighting that the Scottish Conservatives have been calling for a grooming gangs inquiry for “months”, Ms Gallacher explained: “The Scottish Conservatives have been calling for a grooming gang inquiry for months, having tabled amendments to a bill back in September that would have instructed the Government to hold an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland.
“That, of course, was voted down by the SNP and their green partners. But again, we are hoping from this debate today that we’re able to find out the clarification from the Scottish Government in relation to whether they will hold an inquiry now.”
Angela Constance has been accused of ‘lying’ after claiming that Alexis Jay ‘did not support’ a Scottish grooming gangs inquiry
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PA
She told GB News: “We know an inquiry is needed, not just to bring those who have been involved in grooming gangs circles to justice, but also to make sure that victims are supported.
“Because, again, there should never be a circumstance where a victim of a grooming gangs ring has to plead with the First Minister of Scotland to hold a grooming gang’s inquiry. I find that absolutely disgusting and that is why we need an inquiry.”
Accusing the Government of attempting to “shut down” any debate on the grooming gangs scandal and inquiry, the MSP said: “There shouldn’t be any resistance to an inquiry.
“I think that the behaviour shown by the Government and the Justice Secretary, it’s been an attempt to shut down the debate at almost any time the issue of grooming gangs has been raised in the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Gallacher told GB News that the Government has ‘no interest’ in the grooming gangs scandal
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GB NEWS
“The Government has found an excuse or a way to misrepresent what others have been saying in relation to grooming gangs.”
She concluded: “So again, that’s why we need this inquiry. We need to know the true scale in nature of how grooming gangs operate in Scotland.
“But again, I’m wondering whether the Scottish Government believes that grooming gangs has stopped at the border between England and Scotland. But we know, of course, that there has been instances where grooming gangs have been operating.”
A Scottish Government spokesman 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.”