Spiteful Brussels bans UK bids for Europe’s next capital of culture
BRUSSELS provoked fury yesterday by kicking out British cities hoping to be crowned European Capital of Culture in retaliation for Brexit.
In a ‘spiteful’ move, the European Commission told the UK it could no longer take part, despite the honour previously being awarded to non-EU cities.
Nottingham, Leeds, Dundee, Milton Keynes, and a joint bid for Belfast and Londonderry were all in the running for the prize in 2023, which can significantly boost tourism and investment. Councils in all five areas will be left out of pocket after spending hundreds of thousands of pounds preparing bids over the last 18 months.
Turkey, Norway and Iceland have all had the title bestowed on cities in their countries even though they are not in the EU.
Downing Street last night said ministers were seeking ‘urgent discussions’ with the EU about the ‘disappointing decision’. A source said: ‘While we are leaving the EU we are not leaving Europe and this has been welcomed by European leaders. We are in the EU, we are paying to be in the EU and this process is being decided while we are full members of the EU. At the very least they should go through the process and then make it part of the negotiations.’
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was ‘absolutely dismayed’ by the decision, adding: ‘It is deeply concerning that the amount of time, effort and expense that Dundee have put into scoping out their bid could be wasted.’ However she blamed the move on the Tories for Brexit.
The decision was taken despite promises from officials on both sides during negotiations to maintain as close a relationship as possible after Brexit. While the competition is backed by Brussels and underpinned by EU law, it can also be awarded to countries applying to join the bloc or who are in an economic grouping tied to the EU.
DUP MEP Diane Dodds described the exclusion as ‘needless and spiteful posturing by the Commission’. She said: ‘To have waited until the UK’s cities spent considerable money and resources before making this decision demonstrates the malevolent intentions of those involved.’
The award rotates between European countries and was due to come here in 2023, with Liverpool the last UK holder in 2008.
Significant amounts of taxpayer money were used for the bids, with the £1million Leeds application receiving £200,000 of funding from the public purse.
John Proctor, a Tory MEP directly involved in the Leeds bid, said: ‘Tens of thousands have been spent and organisations have come together to prepare very strong bids. For all that to be trashed at this late stage is an absolute disgrace.’
A European Commission spokesman said: ‘As one of the many concrete consequences of that UK decision, UK participation is no longer possible. It therefore makes sense to discontinue the selection process.’