John Swinney to face FMQs after grooming gangs victim urges national inquiry

John Swinney will face First Minister’s Questions after a victim of alleged grooming gangs in Glasgow urged him to launch a national inquiry.

In a letter to the First Minister, Taylor, which is not her real name, said she was 13 and in care when she was targeted by a “Pakistani grooming gang” operating from flats in Govanhill and Rutherglen.

The woman, who is now in her 20s, said she and her friends were sexually abused and exploited by at least ten men, who had plied the children with alcohol and drugs.

She said it is “clear” such abuse is still ongoing, and she called for the Government to launch a national inquiry.

The Scottish Conservatives, who have been calling for a nationwide probe, said Taylor’s “powerful letter should shame John Swinney into doing the right thing”.

A national inquiry into grooming gangs will take place in England and Wales, but one has not been set up in Scotland.

Natalie Don-Innes, Swinney’s minister for children and young people, said the Scottish Government and its partners are taking action through the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group, which brings together key services and expert stakeholders, including Police Scotland, to tackle this type of abuse.

“The Scottish Government will give every consideration to the need for an independent public inquiry into the operation of ‘grooming gangs’ in Scotland, should it be deemed necessary,” Don-Innes said.

“Police Scotland is actively reviewing investigations right now, and we have also been clear that we are prepared to give every consideration to a grooming gangs inquiry if that is assessed as a necessity.

“Furthermore, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry currently taking place is one of the widest ranging ever undertaken in Scotland and includes an extensive review of the protection of children in care in Scotland.”

The First Minister could once again face questions from opposition leaders about instigating a national inquiry.

FMQs will be broadcast from the Scottish Parliament at midday on Thursday.