The SNP Government has finally back-tracked into agreeing to hold a public inquiry into grooming gangs.
Having previously resisted the move despite fierce opposition from the Scottish Conservatives, it was confirmed on Wednesday that an independent inquiry would now examine the issue.
Local constituency MSP Finlay Carson welcomed the decision and described it as being “long overdue” – not least that the survivors of grooming gangs will finally have their harrowing stories told.
He said: “The survivors have had to fight tooth and nail for the public inquiry which they hope will deliver justice, some degree of closure and ensure lessons are learned to prevent other vulnerable children being preyed upon.
“It defies believe that an SNP minister lied to parliament in order to block Scottish Conservatives efforts to secure a grooming gangs inquiry.”
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP warned the inquiry must not be an “SNP whitewash”.
He added: “It must be genuinely independent, properly resources and unrestricted in who it can call and what it can examine.
“Above all, it must have victims at its very centre. Anything less would be another betrayal of survivors by the SNP."
Questioning the original decision by the First Minister not to grant an independent inquiry, Mr Carson said: “John Swinney has had to be dragged kicking and screaming into finally granting one – headed by the very expert whose views his justice secretary Angela Constance so shamefully misrepresented.”
Child sexual abuse expert Prof Alexis Jay who has already overseen a national review of group-based abuse in Scotland – will lead the inquiry.
Previously it was announced in December on whether the probe would be judge-led with Scottish Ministers delaying the decision until more evidence was gathered.
It would now appear that this threshold has now been met although no details have been forthcoming by the SNP Government.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth told MSPs that the inquiry would focus on the prevalence of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, now and in the recent past.
She said: “I consider the establishment of a public inquiry to be essential, and from discussions I know Professor Jay wants to ensure that the inquiry is carried out at pace.
“Announcing an independent public inquiry today will not cure all which has come before, but it is a statement of intent from this government that we will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for survivors of child sexual abuse.”