Petitioners continue to highlight that the diverse cases behind the petition’s calls, which allege the mishandling of child abuse concerns by public bodies
Today, the [Scottish Parliament's] Public Petitions Committee supported PE1979 by keeping it open and agreeing actions to progress our petition’s calls.
In the words of the committee’s MSPs.
“I would ask that we keep the petition open, write to Alexis Jay* and see if we can facilitate a meeting with the petitioners and Professor Jay.” Marie McNair MSP
“Absolutely, to remain open. There could be a direct link with the grooming gangs scandal. Very serious issues, so absolutely 100% remain open and refer it to the relevant bodies.” Julie MacDougall MSP
We were also grateful to Meghan Gallacher MSP for taking the time to attend committee and speak in support of the petition. Meghan asked the committee to clarify with the SG that whistleblowing will be included in Phase 11 of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI).
Whilst petitioners welcome a meeting with Prof Jay*, we continue to highlight that the diverse cases behind the petition’s calls, which allege the mishandling of child abuse concerns by public bodies, include but are not limited to, the Group Based CSA CSE Inquiry.
Petitioners also welcome consideration of whistleblowing within Phase 11 of the SCAI and importantly, greater recognition around the breadth of whistleblowing voices. This has included survivors, families and carers, former and current staff and others.
However, we'd also again highlight that the allegations behind the petition are wider than the SCAI’s care focus and that they include all children and young people’s settings across Scotland.
It's also important to note that the allegations have included concerns around the SCAI itself. This includes the failure to support the inclusion of all voices, limited truth about the abuse, and what feels to be a lack of convictions or the level of justice and accountability that survivors and whistleblowers want to see.
In the way forward, petitioners would call on MSPs to better understand the need to independently investigate the actual cases, especially where the alleged perpetrators still work with or have access to children and young people.
This is the crux of the petition and vital in establishing the fullest child safeguarding truth to best protect children. Hence why the petition calls for the empowering and ongoing space of an independent national whistleblowing office for education and children’s services.
*Professor Alexis Jay is a prominent child protection expert and former social work official who was appointed in February 2026 to chair a statutory public inquiry in Scotland examining the country’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE).
