Story perspectives

Scottish Justice Secretary Apologizes Amid Grooming Gangs Controversy

1/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Angela Constance, Scottish Justice Secretary, breached the ministerial code with comments about Prof Alexis Jay, who oversees a review of grooming gangs in Scotland.
An investigation found Constance's misrepresentation was inadvertent and not intended to mislead.
She accepted the findings and apologized, saying the record should have been corrected sooner.
Opposition leaders called for her resignation.
The controversy prompted a national review of grooming gangs in Scotland.

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Story summary

Angela Constance, Scottish Justice Secretary, breached the ministerial code with comments about Prof Alexis Jay, who oversees a review of grooming gangs in Scotland.
An investigation found Constance's misrepresentation was inadvertent and not intended to mislead.
She accepted the findings and apologized, saying the record should have been corrected sooner.
Opposition leaders called for her resignation.
The controversy prompted a national review of grooming gangs in Scotland.