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The Justice Secretary Angela Constance has firmly dismissed demands from the Conservative Party for an independent investigation into her conduct, specifically regarding allegations that she misrepresented the views of a prominent expert on grooming gangs and misled the Scottish Parliament. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth defended Constance during an interview on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, emphasizing that her colleague’s remarks were general in nature and urging a shift of focus toward supporting victims of child sexual abuse rather than dwelling on political disputes. Thanks to backing from Scottish Green MSPs, Constance is expected to survive an imminent vote of no confidence.
Gilruth elaborated on Constance’s position, stating that the Justice Secretary accurately reflected the opinions of Professor Alexis Jay in her statements earlier this year. She said, “I think it’s the case that if you look at the official report as I have done… there was a number of exchanges between the justice secretary and other MSPs. To my reading of it, it was a general comment about the overall approach and it was an accurate quote in relation to the views of Alexis Jay that were held in January, earlier this year.” Gilruth also acknowledged that clarification had been provided regarding the strategic group minutes and stressed the importance of moving forward to reassure the public.
The controversy originated in September when Constance opposed a Conservative proposal for an inquiry into grooming gangs as part of a victims bill. During this debate, she asserted that Professor Jay, a UK expert on grooming gangs, did not support additional inquiries into child sexual abuse and exploitation. However, government-released emails revealed that Professor Jay had clarified her earlier comments pertained solely to the England and Wales Public Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse, which she chaired. She stated, “It had nothing to do with [the Conservative] amendment, or the position in Scotland, as could be interpreted from your statement.” Jay further urged Scottish ministers to gather reliable data on the issue and requested that her stance be publicly clarified. Although the government issued a clarification in meeting notes, no correction was made in the parliamentary chamber. Constance maintains her comments were “accurate” and has received support from First Minister John Swinney.
The situation escalated when five members of Holyrood’s Education, Children, and Young People Committee—representing SNP and independent MSPs—publicly criticized the committee’s chair, former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross. They accused Ross of exploiting his position for political purposes by seeking to summon both Constance and Professor Jay to give evidence on the matter. Ross defended his actions on BBC Radio Scotland, explaining, “I think it’s a little disappointing to see that from my committee colleagues but I understand there was a split in opinion… we were all agreed, but some wish to maybe delay that for a little while. I felt, and other members of the committee felt, it was important to do that as soon as possible.” Ross highlighted the urgency of the issue for victims who require clarity, which is why both Constance and Jay have agreed to appear before the committee this week.
Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton sharply criticized Gilruth, accusing her of “taking the public for fools” and asserting that Constance had misled parliament. Hamilton said, “This was a car-crash interview that exposed an SNP government in panic mode, closing ranks to protect one of their own.” She argued that if First Minister Swinney genuinely believed the Justice Secretary was merely quoting Jay “in general terms,” he would support an independent investigation to clear Constance’s name. Instead, Hamilton claimed, the government is avoiding such scrutiny because “independent advisers would see straight through this laughable excuse.” While the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats back motions of no confidence in Constance, the Scottish Greens have declared they will not support such votes, stating their priority lies with protecting children and securing justice for victims.
In response to the ongoing debate, the Scottish government recently announced a national review of evidence concerning grooming gangs in Scotland. This independent review will be conducted by oversight bodies including the Care Inspectorate, the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Education, and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The endeavor will be guided by an expert panel chaired by Professor Jay, who has also been appointed head of the government’s national group on child sexual abuse. The panel’s findings will inform decisions about whether a judge-led public inquiry should be established in the future.
As the parliamentary session approaches its final week of 2025, the controversy surrounding grooming gangs remains a focal point. Constance continues to face intense scrutiny amid claims she misrepresented Professor Jay’s views, though official clarifications have been made only outside the parliamentary chamber. Despite pressure from opposition parties, support from the Scottish Greens shields her from losing a confidence vote. Meanwhile, the upcoming parliamentary education committee hearing featuring both Constance and Jay is expected to be a pivotal moment, attracting considerable attention from MSPs and journalists alike. The committee convener Douglas Ross insists victims deserve answers promptly. As the year draws to a close, although public focus shifts toward festive matters, those affected by grooming gangs hope that renewed efforts and examinations will gain momentum in the new year
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