Victim's Letter Prompts Call for National Action
Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, has stated his government is 'open' to launching a national inquiry into grooming gangs operating within the country. This significant development comes after he received a powerful letter from a woman, known under the pseudonym Taylor, who detailed her harrowing experiences of being sexually exploited as a child.
Taylor, now in her twenties, was just 13 years old and in the care system when she was allegedly preyed upon by at least ten men. In her correspondence, she describes how she and her friends were plied with alcohol and drugs before being sexually abused and exploited. The alleged gang is said to have operated from flats in the Govanhill area of Glasgow and Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire.
Systemic Failures and Political Pressure
Taylor's case was brought to the forefront during First Minister's Questions on Thursday 13 November 2025 by Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay. In her letter, Taylor expressed her belief that such abuse is clearly still ongoing in Scotland and called for an immediate, rapid audit into grooming gangs across the nation.
She argued that 'a full inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland must follow any audit in order to protect children suffering now, and any potential victims in the future'. Her plea highlights a pattern, referencing other high-profile cases such as the 'beastie house' paedophile ring in Glasgow and a recently sentenced Romanian grooming gang in Dundee.
This issue has previously been debated in the Scottish Parliament. In September, the Scottish Conservatives attempted to add an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill that would have established an inquiry, but it was rejected.
Police Response and Government's Stance
Further complicating the matter, Taylor raised serious concerns about the police response to her complaints. She decided to contact the First Minister and Police Scotland directly after discovering 'upsetting information' within her care records. These documents led her to believe that the care home, police, and social services may have been aware of the abuse she suffered, contrary to her initial assumptions.
Taylor stated she felt compelled to speak out after receiving what she described as 'dismissive replies' from both Mr Swinney's office and the police. In response, a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed a complaint was received in September 2025, but it was closed after they advised her to make a formal crime report.
First Minister Swinney acknowledged receipt of Taylor's letter, expressing his 'admiration for her courage to speak out on such an important and very difficult subject'. He confirmed that the Scottish government is taking action through the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group. While reiterating that the government remains open to an inquiry, he emphasised that a series of steps are currently being taken to explore these issues, trusting that the police and judicial system will address the cases.
Following the exchange, Russell Findlay accused the First Minister of potentially 'burying his head in the sand', stressing that victims like Taylor demand an independent inquiry to uncover the full scale of the abuse and examine why it was allowed to continue unchecked.
