Gilruth rules out year-and-a-half delay on inquiry call

Earlier this month, in a joint statement, the four watchdogs tasked with undertaking the National Review that will ultimately inform the decision on a statutory probe said they needed 18 months.

But Ms Gilruth suggested the government could act on the findings from the first phase of the probe, which are due to be handed over by the summer.

The review is being carried out by the Care Inspectorate and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, working alongside Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland.

The work will be divided into three phases — assessment, assurance and improvement — with the first phase expected to last six months and report in summer 2026.

Phases two and three will then follow, with the full process across the first two phases taking up to 18 months.

As part of phase one, “public protection partners” will be asked to provide evidence of their understanding of the scale and nature of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as the steps they are taking to prevent, identify and respond to such harm.

During Education Questions, Tory MSP Sue Webber asked the minister about the prospect of an 18 month wait.

Replying, Ms Gilruth said: “It will not take 18 months.

“The first phase of assessment is already under way, with local authorities having 12 weeks to respond.

“The inspectors have committed to reporting to minister by the summer of this year, once they have assessed those findings.

“The findings will be scrutinised by the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group, which is chaired by Professor Alexis Jay.”

Ms Webber said: “I’m sure that the survivors, along with myself, will be delighted to know that they will not be having to wait 18 months for the review."

Ms Gilruth said it was vital that survivors’ voices were central to the process. She said she and Justice Secretary Angela Constance had met campaigners at a cross-party group on childhood sexual abuse survivors the previous evening.

“I was very grateful to them for sharing some time with Ms Constance and me to talk about their own experiences, but also to ensure that the National Review listens to their voices and that we get this right for them. That is so imperative.”

The Scottish Government announced the national review in December, arguing it needed a stronger evidence base before deciding whether to establish a full public inquiry into grooming gangs.

The decision followed political controversy over remarks by Angela Constance about Professor Jay’s position on an inquiry, which led to accusations ministers had misrepresented expert advice.

Ms Gilruth also told MSPs she would be meeting with Prof Jay on Thursday.