Scottish Conservative and Unionist Craig Hoy has slammed SNP and Green MSPs for failing to back his party’s call for a grooming gangs inquiry in Scotland.
Shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr had put forward an amendment to the SNP’s Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill which would have delivered an investigation into child exploitation and abuse in Scotland, including grooming gangs.
It would have mirrored the instructions given to Baroness Casey in England, who ultimately recommended to the UK Labour government that an inquiry should be set up.
However, SNP and Green MSPs voted against the amendment, to ultimately deny an investigation into the activities of grooming gangs in Scotland.
Craig Hoy says it is “outrageous” that SNP and Green MSPs voted down the plans, as it risks the voices of Scottish grooming gang victims not being heard.
He says the vote represents a “betrayal” of victims and that the SNP should be learning lessons to prevent future abuse from occurring.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Craig Hoy MSP said: “It is outrageous that SNP and Green MSPs could not bring themselves to back a grooming gangs inquiry in Scotland.
“The amendment from my colleague Liam Kerr was sensible and would have ensured a full investigation into child exploitation and abuse taking place in Scotland – including the activities of grooming gangs.
“The vote(s) from SNP and Green MSPs ultimately denied that, and they owe victims an urgent apology.
“Their votes represent a betrayal of victims. SNP and Green MSPs appear not to want to learn the lessons from what has happened, even though it could prevent similar appalling abuse from happening again.
“Baroness Casey, who recommended a grooming gangs inquiry in England, said it would be a missed opportunity if Scotland wasn’t represented in the inquiry. Sadly, her concerns fell on deaf ears.
“Scottish victims deserve to have their voices heard through an inquiry, and I am appalled that SNP and Green MSPs could not join Scottish Conservative MSPs in backing this amendment.”
