Record View says there can and should be an inquiry into the grooming gang scandal in Scotland that gets answers for victims quickly.
An alleged victim of a grooming gang has written to the First Minister
John Swinney’s decision to meet a grooming gang victim to hear her calls for a Scottish inquiry into the scandal should be welcomed.
Taylor bravely came forward to talk about the abuse she faced as a thirteen year old by up to 10 men.
Her case proves – if any proof was needed – that the problem of grooming gangs is not confined to England.
Cases have gone through the courts in Scotland and momentum is building for greater scrutiny.
A national inquiry is being undertaken south of the Border, but no such probe has been ordered for Scotland. The SNP government points to ongoing police investigations as evidence of the issue being treated seriously.
They also believe their “strategic group” on national child abuse and exploitation is another example of their commitment to justice.
But the lack of a national review of grooming gangs in Scotland puts us out of step with other parts of the UK.
The idea that the problem was rife in England but somehow stopped at the Border is now looking increasingly out-of-touch. Swinney should launch a victim-first probe that looks at the scale of grooming gangs and the failures of our institutions to deal with it.
It should also be efficient and deliver answers to victims quickly. The last thing Scotland needs is another costly public inquiry that lines the pockets of lawyers and judges. New figures produced yesterday revealed that the cost of public inquiries in Scotland rose by almost £30million in nine months.
But there can and should be an inquiry into the grooming gang scandal in Scotland that gets answers for victims quickly.
Get it checked
More than 12,000 men are lost to prostate cancer in the UK every year.
Given the disease is treatable, campaigners say that figure is far too high. That’s why we must listen to people like Scotland rugby legend Kenny
Logan when he says a national screening system is required to save lives.
Kenny, husband of TV star Gabby Logan, survived his own prostate cancer diagnosis in 2022. He spoke out after former PM David Cameron revealed this week he had also undergone treatment for the disease.
Kenny is right when he says wives and girlfriends should push their partners to get tested for it – as it was Cameron’s wife Samantha who urged for him to go to the doctor. But ultimately, it’s up for men to take their health seriously.
As Kenny says, it’s like an MOT. Every year after 50 it’s a thing men should get done annually.
But a national screening programme is long overdue for this avoidable killer.