Council disputes claims on gallery funding

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was caught up in an Aberdeen Art Gallery cash row after claiming the city council failed to seek government funding for the £34.6 million project.

At first minister’s questions, Ms Sturgeon said Aberdeen City Council “never” asked ministers for funding, a claim disputed by the local authority.

Ms Sturgeon said no approach was made to the government, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) or Creative Scotland (CS) in the planning or business case stages.

She said funding was discussed with HES in 2016 when the project had begun, but the council chose not to pursue an application.

The first minister made the claims when asked by Tory MSP Tom Mason why the gallery had not received support in the way Dundee’s V&A museum had.

“I do think it is a bit rich to criticise the Scottish Government for not giving funding when the council in question never asked us for funding,” Ms Sturgeon said.

Last night the council issued a statement saying “various approaches” were made by the local authority to government.

The council claimed a CS application for a capital grant was rejected in 2013.

The statement said: “Unsuccessful approaches were also made in relation to Historic Environment Scotland funding options.”

The council said it wrote to Ms Sturgeon asking her to match £1.5m of UK Government cash. But that approach was “also declined”.

Mr Mason added: “This really shows up the first minister and the SNP’s lack of interest in Aberdeen and the north-east.”

Gordon Burnett