The Scottish Government is preparing to open a full inquiry into the operation of grooming gangs across Scotland, after sustained public pressure on First Minister John Swinney to act.

The expected announcement follows criticism that earlier measures did not go far enough. In December, authorities launched a review involving several public bodies, including care and school watchdogs, to assess the scale of abuse. However, victims’ groups and political opponents argued that a review lacked the legal authority and transparency of a statutory public inquiry.

A formal inquiry would likely have the power to compel testimony, examine institutional failures, and investigate whether police, schools, social services, or local councils ignored warning signs or failed to protect vulnerable children. It would also seek to determine the true scale of organized child sexual exploitation networks operating within Scotland.