'Out of touch' justice secretary posts gushing travel video on social media despite grooming gang controversy at home
Angela Constance has been criticised for posting on social media about a 'fabulous' festive trip to Turkey while battling for her political life in a row over calls for a grooming gangs inquiry.
By GRAHAM GRANT HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR FOR THE SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL
Published: 20:18 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 20:31 GMT, 1 January 2026
Angela Constance has been criticised for posting on social media about a ‘fabulous’ festive trip to Turkey while battling for her political life in a row over calls for a grooming gangs inquiry.
The embattled Justice Secretary faces an inquiry over allegations that she misled MSPs over comments by a child protection expert, as the minister resisted calls for a probe into the scandal.
On her social media sites TikTok and Instagram, Ms Constance posted short videos of her trip to the ancient city of Perge, near Antalya, famous for its Roman and Greek ruins.
Smiling as she moves around in a circle to give a 360-degree view of the site, she tells her followers ‘one of the great things about the ancient city of Perge, in Turkey, is that it’s an absolutely massive site’, and in the caption she said her trip last week was ‘fabulous’.
Ms Constance also highlighted the lack of signage instructing people not to touch the ruins or climb on them, meaning that ‘it’s a marvellous place to explore’.
On Instagram, she said she had spent Christmas Day exploring Perge which she said takes a ‘good two hours’.
The minister adds in an Instagram caption that she ‘loved the fact you could physically explore, climb and touch your surroundings’.
She also made a separate post in which she also moved around in a circle as she filmed herself, saying: ‘Let me wish each and every one of you a’ the very best and a guid New Year and good health and happiness for 2026.’
Under-fire Justice Minister Angela Constance's video of her festive holiday in Perge, Turkey
Professor Alexis Jay, who asked Ms Constance to correct the record on what the Justice Minister had wrongly claimed she said on a Scottish grooming gang inquiry
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie MSP said: ‘Angela Constance’s attraction to ruins isn’t surprising - that is what her behaviour has done to her own credibility.
‘Victims who feel betrayed by Angela Constance’s utter failure to apologise will be disgusted to see her boring people on TikTok about a holiday instead of recognising the huge breach of trust she has perpetrated.’
A Scottish Tory spokesman said: ‘Angela Constance is free to take a break, but the real issue is that she continues to ignore serious concerns about her handling of the grooming gangs scandal.