THE SNP have hit back at a Scottish Labour MP for making “irresponsible” claims over calls for a grooming gang inquiry and peddling the “same mistruths as the Tories”.
Joani Reid previously voted down Tory calls in Westminster for a national inquiry into grooming gangs before demanding a Scottish probe, and has now accused the SNP and Scottish Greens of an "establishment cover-up”.
On Tuesday, MSPs voted down a bid by the Scottish Tories to force research into grooming gangs in Scotland, through an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.
The Tories had tried to change the legislation to require the newly created Victims Commissioner for Scotland to carry out research in relation to group-based child sexual exploitation in Scotland within three years of taking up the job.
They claimed this would see a “similar investigation” carried out to one ordered by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for England in January of this year.
This is disputed by the SNP, who called the Tory move a “cynical political ploy”.
Both the SNP and Scottish Greens, who voted against the proposals, have pointed out that “work is underway” following recommendations in Baroness Casey's audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, published in June this year.
Tory justice spokesperson Liam Kerr’s amendment was defeated by 62 votes to 51. Following the failed bid, Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid claimed the SNP and Greens were taking part in an “establishment cover-up” and that they had blocked an inquiry.
The East Kilbride and Strathaven MP claimed that blocking the amendment exposed a “deep hostility to telling the truth”.
“The SNP and the Greens used their majority to block research — just research — into the prevalence of grooming gang-style child abuse in Scotland,” she told The Times. “I now think they have so misjudged the evidence and the public mood here that this issue could cost them dearly in next May’s elections.
“Because if they were part of an establishment cover-up they could not be more fastidious in their disregard of the facts.
“Official statistics show that in 2024 just 13 cases of child sexual exploitation were identified across Scotland. But this isn’t an indication we have no exploitation, it’s an intimation we just aren’t looking.”
Justice Secretary Angela Constance has argued that there was already a public inquiry into child abuse, and that a strategic group set up to examine child sexual abuse and exploitation was better placed to investigate the matter than a new victims commissioner.
Following Reid’s comments, an SNP spokesperson fired back, stating: "It is completely untrue that the SNP voted against a grooming gangs inquiry, and it is beyond irresponsible for a Labour MP to peddle the same mistruth as the Tories.
"The Tories lodged an amendment for the new Victims Commissioner – being created by the SNP through the Victims Bill – to carry out research into child abuse.
“It is entirely wrong to suggest this could have been a so-called ‘grooming gangs inquiry’ and this amendment was lodged as a cynical political ploy in a bill which enacted transformational change in the justice system.
"Professor Alexis Jay, who is a member of the Strategic Group and previously chaired an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in England and Wales, supports the Scottish Government position to continue its work in child protection through existing procedures and supports taking action not further inquiries. That is what the Scottish Government is doing.
"The SNP and the Scottish Government regards protecting children from harm as an absolute priority and recognises the devastating impacts such abuse has on victims and their families."
And, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said: “Any abuse and exploitation of children is appalling. It causes terrible trauma and suffering that can be life-long and life-ending. Scottish Greens condemn any such appalling abuse.
“We do not need to wait a few years for the establishment of the Victims and Witnesses Commissioner for this issue to be dealt with.
“Work is already underway to consider the implications of Baroness Casey's audit and the recommendations. This sensitive and delicate work, rightly, is being undertaken by a skilled and expert group that includes statutory, third sector, academic and service delivery organisation representatives.
"We don't need to duplicate that work with primary legislation.”
Grooming gangs have become a far-right talking point in recent months, partially sparked by repeated interventions by tech billionaire Elon Musk, the Conservatives and Reform UK.
Starmer initially refused to hold an inquiry into grooming gangs in England, accusing those calling for one of jumping on the far-right bandwagon.
However, the Prime Minister U-turned after Baroness Casey called for an inquiry to create a “national reset” on the grooming gangs issue.
Casey said she had changed her mind on the need for a national inquiry after she was “unimpressed” by the number of local councils that did not volunteer to set up their own probe.
