Scotland's Justice Secretary Angela Constance has survived a no-confidence vote at Holyrood, retaining her position after crucial backing from the Scottish Greens. The motion failed 67 to 57, with one abstention, despite fierce opposition from all major parties and an emotional plea from the mother of a grooming gang victim.
The vote followed intense controversy over Constance's handling of calls for a Scottish grooming gangs inquiry. Opposition leaders accused her of misleading Parliament by misrepresenting expert views and failing to correct the record.
Victim's mother urges MSPs to remove Constance
In a powerful open letter sent to every MSP, the mother of Taylor, a Glasgow grooming gang victim, demanded Constance's removal. Taylor was just 13 when the abuse began while she was in care.
«Can you look yourselves in the mirror knowing that you are supporting her to remain in position against the will of the victims?» the mother wrote in the letter, which was reported in the Daily Record.
The letter stated that survivors have lost all confidence in the Justice Secretary. Taylor experienced gang rape, was given vodka, crack cocaine and valium, and was trafficked across Glasgow's Govanhill and Rutherglen areas. The abuse continued until she was almost 18.
The misrepresentation controversy
The crisis erupted after documents revealed Constance had cited Professor Alexis Jay, a child sexual abuse expert, to reject calls for a grooming gangs inquiry. In September, during debate on the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill, Constance told MSPs that Professor Jay «shares my view» that it was time to «just get on with it» rather than conduct further inquiries.
Days later, Professor Jay contacted Constance directly to clarify her position. The expert insisted her January comments about England and Wales «had nothing to do» with Scotland. Constance had 20 days to correct the parliamentary record but failed to do so.
Opposition fury and Green support
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar condemned Constance's conduct during the Holyrood debate. «The Justice Secretary has lost the confidence of victims. She has lost the confidence of survivors, and in my view she should not have the confidence of this Parliament. She cannot continue in her role,» Sarwar said.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, who initiated the motion, was equally scathing. «To any reasonable person, Angela Constance's position is untenable,» he told MSPs. Findlay accused her of twisting Professor Jay's words and failing to apologize even after being caught.
The Scottish Greens' decision to vote against the motion proved decisive. Co-convenor Ross Greer explained: «This afternoon, though, is about politics, and I've got no time for that, which is why the Greens will vote against the motion this afternoon.»
Government defends Justice Secretary
First Minister John Swinney stood firmly behind Constance, describing her as «sincere» and stating she had made a «general point drawing on publicly stated views».
«Angela Constance has my full confidence as Justice Secretary,» Swinney told Parliament. He insisted she «would never address Parliament in a way that would mislead Parliament or the public».
Scottish Labour warned they still «reserve the right» to table their own no-confidence motion, keeping political pressure on Constance.
What happens next
Both Constance and Professor Alexis Jay are scheduled to appear before Holyrood's education committee on Wednesday morning. The session is expected to address the controversy directly and could determine whether the Justice Secretary faces further political consequences.
Taylor's mother closed her letter with a stark warning to MSPs: survivors «will remember who stood with us and who didn't».
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
