Showdown for Hyslop over pop festival cash
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop faces a growing list of questions about her grant to t in the Park as she prepares to be grilled by MSPs.
She will be hauled before the education and culture committee tomorrow to answer questions on why she gave £150,000 to the successful event.
Miss Hyslop has been accused of cronyism after former SNP adviser Jennifer Dempsie arranged a meeting between the minister and bosses of f estival organiser DF Concerts.
Miss Dempsie has since abandoned an attempt to become an MSP amid controversy over the transaction.
the Scottish Government has tried to kill off the issue, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisting her Culture Secretary acted appropriately.
But several questions remain unanswered.
Critics want to know about the lack of a business plan from Miss Hyslop, what the money was for and why the profitable company needed taxpayers’ cash.
there are also questions over the timing of the grant, which was paid after the concert took place, and about the access that DF Concerts had to four ministers through Miss Dempsie.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has opened itself up to ridicule by hailing t in the Park as one of Scotland’s flagship ‘export-ready events’, which should act as an example to others. that is despite DF Concerts claiming a refusal to sign off the £150,000 grant would have put it in jeopardy.
the festival, which took place on July 10 to 12, secured such headliners as Kasabian, Noel Gallagher and Paloma Faith.
It was held at Strathallan Castle, Perthshire, f or the f i rst time, having moved from its former home at Balado, Kinross-shire.
Yesterday, Scottish lib Dem MSP liam McArthur, a member of the education and culture committee, said: ‘So far we have been told next to nothing as to why this event was granted state aid after it had taken place. People will expect [Miss Hyslop] to be open, honest and constructive when she gives evidence on this matter.’
Scottish labour committee member John Pentland said: ‘there are a range of questions the SNP culture minister has to answer. She has pr ev i o usl y claimed that t in the Park would not have been viable without this public funding.
‘that barely seems credible when you consider that DF Concerts is 78 percent owned by LN Gaiety Holdings, which posted pre-tax profits of £9million last year. Scottish labour expects her to publish the business case put to her for state aid from civil servants. Nothing less than full transparency from the SNP Government will do.’
Scottish tory culture spokesman liz Smith said: ‘the first question on people’s lips will be way the SNP feels it necessary to bankroll an event that is so evidently selfsufficient.
‘that’s the kind of thing Fiona Hyslop will have to respond to when she comes before MSPs. the public need guarantees that, when significant sums are provided to private events, there’s a good explanation for it.’
the Scottish Government report extolling t in the Park describes an ‘export-ready event’ as one that ‘offers the whole package of ticket, accommodation, transport, food and drink and other activities in an easy to access format’.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘t in the Park is one of our most popular and successful cultural events, generating £15.4million for the economy last year and supporting tourism and jobs.
‘recognising these significant economic benefits, the Scottish Government made a £150,000 contribution this year to ensure the successful transition of the festival to a new site at Strathallan.
‘Yesterday we launched the new updated national events strategy, Scotland, the Perfect Stage, which highlights the role of our large and iconic signature events, such as t in the Park, in driving sustainable economic growth and retaining our status as a world class events destination.’
the spokesman added: ‘t in the Park can only be exported if it remains in its current format in Scotland. this award is entirely consistent with the national events strategy, in line with which financial and other support is provided to a range of major cultural and sporting events in Scotland.
‘recent examples include edinburgh’s Hogmanay, the John Muir Festival and the World Pipe Band Championships.
‘the Cabinet Secretary set out the details behind the award of funding to t in the Park in a parliamentary answer on August 14, and is looking forward to answering the committee’s questions.’
‘The public need guarantees’