Ministers have promised to bring forward legislation

MPs at Westminster have created a new offence of sexual grooming but the Conservatives say the executive in Scotland is not doing enough to fight the problem.

Their deputy justice spokeswoman, Margaret Mitchell, has put forward proposals in parliament which would seek to target predatory adults who try to arrange meetings with children using the internet.

The Minister for Young People, Peter Peacock, said the executive planned to legislate but insisted that there were no gaps in the law at present.

Specific offence

The crime carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years in England and Wales.

Ms Mitchell said her bill was necessary because the Scottish Executive was taking too long to push through similar legislation.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson has said she plans to introduce legislation to make internet grooming a specific offence which would also carry a maximum 10-year sentence.

We are now facing a situation where children in Scotland do not have the same protection as elsewhere in the UK Margaret Mitchell MSP

Last month the executive said the minister was looking for the "best legislative vehicle" to drive forward the move.

But Ms Mitchell told BBC Radio Scotland: "The executive have been planning to introduce measures since last December when (first minister) Mr McConnell said they would bring in this legislation, but since then, all I've had is warm words and no definite proposals.

"They have consistently stalled on this, and we are now facing a situation where children in Scotland do not have the same protection as elsewhere in the UK - my bill ensures they will have that."

Executive 'dithered'

Ms Mitchell said the Scottish Executive could have put forward a Sewel motion, which would have allowed Westminister to legislate for Scotland.

She said: "Measures could have been introduced last year under the Sexual Offences Bill, all that was required was a Sewel motion.

"Instead, the executive very stubbornly said they thought they had existing legislation that would cover it, but that they would look at it again. They dithered on this.

"Meanwhile, the question has to be asked how many thousands of children in internet chatrooms have been left vulnerable to paedophiles in the past six months when this legislation could have been put in place?"

An executive spokesperson said: "We consider this a priority and we are looking to introduce this at the earliest opportunity.

"The Scottish legislation will complement that from the Home Office so that there's no discrepancy in sentencing north and south of the border."