Call for inquiry into Roma child sex trade

Msps last night called for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to hold an urgent independent inquiry into allegations young Roma children are being sold for sex in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas.

Residents in Govanhill, part of the First Minister’s Glasgow Southside constituency, say they had been offered the children by parents or relatives or approached by youngsters standing outside bars.

Social workers, community representatives, specialist agencies’ staff and local people claim the situation has been going on for over a decade but believe authorities ignored their concerns due to “cultural sensitivities.”

Scottish Labour’s justice spokesperson Claire Baker MSP, Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman, demanded immediate action.

“We have a duty to protect each and every one of those children and should not waste any time in finding out what is actually happening in the streets of our largest city. There must be a full and transparent inquiry into investigating these reports, one which commands the confidence of those that have been raising these concerns for a number of years.”

Annie Wells, Scottish Conservative Glasgow MSP, also called for an inquiry “as a matter of urgency”