Rotherham abuse

it’s a big, nasty story, and very complex – easy to jump to a premature conclusion. But what seems definite is that we’ve got all this discussion as a result of a really impressive report. Alexis Jay, professor in social work and adviser to the Scottish government, has come up with something clear, intelligent and thorough. You can argue about what should happen next, but the seriousness of the issue is beyond doubt.

It’s great that we have people like this, and not surprising – but it just feels that way, because so few of them emerge into government or media prominence, where there’s a demand for more showy but less substantial qualities.