Scotland to launch national review into grooming gangs as SNP bows to pressure

The Scottish Government has confirmed it will hold a national review into grooming gangs.The review will be chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, the former chair of a national inquiry into child sexual abuse. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: "Our thoughts are with victims of child abuse who have already suffered so much, this matter must be handled sensitively and with the utmost respect and consideration for their experiences."The issue of group-based sexual abuse and exploitation of children is sensitive and complex, and the Scottish Government has been giving it very detailed consideration." TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say She continued: "We have been clear that we are prepared to give every consideration to an inquiry on this issue, and that any such decision needs to be based on information, evidence and a greater understanding of the scale and nature of this form of abuse and of the responses to it."Professor Alexis Jay has extensive expertise in this area, and her insig

News Dec 3, 2025 0 4 Add to Reading List

Scotland to launch national review into grooming gangs as SNP bows to pressure

The Scottish Government has confirmed it will hold a national review into grooming gangs.

The review will be chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, the former chair of a national inquiry into child sexual abuse.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: "Our thoughts are with victims of child abuse who have already suffered so much, this matter must be handled sensitively and with the utmost respect and consideration for their experiences.

"The issue of group-based sexual abuse and exploitation of children is sensitive and complex, and the Scottish Government has been giving it very detailed consideration."

She continued: "We have been clear that we are prepared to give every consideration to an inquiry on this issue, and that any such decision needs to be based on information, evidence and a greater understanding of the scale and nature of this form of abuse and of the responses to it.

"Professor Alexis Jay has extensive expertise in this area, and her insights will be invaluable to Ministers as this work is taken forward.

"I have written to the leaders and spokespeople of other political parties to offer a briefing with Professor Jay and Police Scotland on this work in the new year."

More to follow...