Angela Constance got it wrong over grooming gangs – Holyrood needs to get it right |
As the Conservatives continue their political pursuit of the Justice Secretary Angela Constance over grooming gangs, Herald columnist Brian Taylor asks who’s right – and who’s wrong.
To govern is to choose. But there are also political choices to be made in opposition. As is amply clear in the dispute over Angela Constance.
The Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has pursued Ms Constance, avidly and effectively, over her reluctance to order a full public inquiry into the issue of grooming gangs in Scotland.
Mr Findlay has now been followed by Labour and the Liberal Democrats in demanding that Ms Constance should resign or be sacked. The Greens dissent from that verdict.
Right now, that support from the Greens would appear to be sufficient to save Ms Constance, if it comes to a vote next week on a motion of no confidence.
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But be clear. Nobody in the Scottish Government is at all content with the position which has developed. If not yet a full-blown crisis, this is certainly a spectacular bourach.
Are the Opposition critics motivated by partisan politics? Of course they are – and rightly so. It is not their job to make things easy for Ministers. Quite the reverse.
Has Angela Constance handled matters competently as Justice Secretary? Frankly, no. Has John........