Pride calls in police over books
POLICE have been called in to inspect the books of Pride Glasgow as doubt is cast over the event’s future.
It is understood the charity owes tens of thousands of pounds to its partner Glasgow City Council from the 2018 event, which was dubbed a “shambles”.
Revellers are now hunting for an alternative to take over the 2019 event.
GLASGOW Pride has asked the police to look in to its books amid growing concern over both its future as an organisation and that of its annual celebration.
The charity has been rocked by a series of departures and public rows ever since its 2018 festival was widely dubbed a “shambles.”
Now its new chairman, Chris Laing, has confirmed that he has reported unspecified financial irregularities to the police and hired an accountant to go over the charity’s books.
Several sources in Scotland’s gay community have told the Evening Times they believe the current charity is “no longer fit for purpose”. A public meeting last month raised the prospect of an alternative West of Scotland Pride.
Pride Glasgow owes its main partner, the city council, tens of thousands of pounds. Local authority insiders have questioned whether the current charity would gain a licence for another event, after over-selling tickets this year.
Mr Laing said: “I have faith that there will be a Pride this year and I think we are the best to do that. We have the Pride family, the volunteers who make it happen.
“The only way we will not do a Pride is if the council do not give us a licence. We are ready to work with anybody.” Mr Laing said Pride Glasgow was talking to professional production company for this year’s event.
Mr Laing has also started a complicated process of dissolving a series of subsidiary companies set up by Pride Scotland over recent years. He said: “What we are doing is tidying up.”
Pride Glasgow will hold a meeting tonight to plans its 2019 event. This comes after council officials offered to mediate between rival would-be organisers. Council leader Susan Aitken is understood to have suggested Pride could next year “piggy-back” on the already planned Merchant City Festival to give the community time to regroup.
Comedian Scott Agnew , a vocal critic of the current charity, said this proposal had been ignored by all sides. He said: “We absolutely need a clean sheet, to start over again.”
A city spokesman said: “I can confirm we are still seeking payment for some services.
“In the meantime, the council remains very much aware of the importance of Pride celebrations to Glasgow.”
‘‘ We absolutely need a clean sheet, to start over again