Scottish ministers urged to establish grooming gangs inquiry after NSPCC intervention

The Scottish Government has not established an inquiry into grooming gangs because it is unsure whether this is the best use of resources, a minister has said.

Tory MSP Meghan Gallacher raised an urgent question in the chamber on Tuesday afternoon following an intervention by the NSPCC on the scale of child sexual abuse.

The child protection charity has said that “much more needs to be done” to get a clearer picture of the problem in Scotland, calling for ministerial leadership.

Gallacher called for a grooming gangs inquiry in order to ascertain the scale of the problem.

While children’s minister Natalie Don-Innes said tackling child abuse was an “absolute priority” she refused to agree to an inquiry.

The National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group was created in 2024 to consider the broader issue. 

But Gallacher criticised the group for not focusing on grooming gangs specifically. She said: “Scotland still lacks a clear understanding of the scale and nature of child abuse. Victims deserve better than this, minister.

“So will the minister take this opportunity to finally agree to our calls for a grooming gangs inquiry to be established in Scotland so we can uncover the true scale of child abuse that has occurred across the country and provide victims with justice and closure?”

Children’s minister Natalie Don-Innes said the government had not ruled out an inquiry and was considering it.

But she said the strategic group, which includes the NSPCC, would inform its thinking on this.

She added: “We are prepared to give every consideration to an inquiry, but surely members want to ensure we are diverting resources in the most appropriate way, strengthening our response to this abhorrent crime, and of course supporting any victims.

“I’ve been very clear we are not closed off to this, but we want to ensure we are putting resources in in the appropriate way, and that is inclusive of the work that is ongoing by Police Scotland and the national group to inform that.”

The UK Government has moved to establish an inquiry into grooming gangs, but it has been thrown into disarray in recent months after several survivors resigned from its panel.

The three women – Fiona Goddard, Ellie Reynolds and ‘Elizabeth’ – expressed concern that it was being handled in a way that would not provide answers.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay raised the prospect of a separate Scottish inquiry being set up earlier this month during FMQs, following calls from victims.

First Minister John Swinney said he was “open” to the idea, “but there is a series of steps being taken to explore these issues at the present moment”.