Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what the specific reasons were for it changing its review into grooming gangs into a public inquiry.
I have consistently said that this Government was prepared to give every consideration to an Inquiry in Scotland if we felt it necessary. We now feel it is and this conclusion was reached after careful consideration.
I have had significant engagement over the past few months with MSPs, Police Scotland, Alexis Jay, and survivors on this important issue.
A statutory inquiry will offer further independent scrutiny that is both substantive and visibly distinct. I believe that this visibility is now critical to maintaining public confidence and encouraging openness and participation from victims and survivors.
In addition, engaging survivors in the development of child sexual abuse and exploitation policy and practice is a key priority. We have already announced work to be taken forward with survivors, and the creation of a Truth Project will build on that through a meaningful process.