THE Scottish Government has announced a national review of evidence on the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland.

The probe will assess "responses to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation" and will inform a decision on whether there should be a judge-led public inquiry.

The independent review will begin in January 2026 and will be carried out by the care inspectorate, the education inspectorate, the police watchdog and Scotland's health and care improvement agency.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced the review on Wednesday (Image: Jane Barlow)

Professor Alexis Jay, who chaired the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales and is working on Scotland’s national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group, will lead the review.

The wor

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