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| Culture secretary to face questions over T in the Park aid | Culture secretary to face questions over T in the Park aid |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop is to appear before a Holyrood committee to explain why the Scottish government gave £150,000 to the T in the Park music festival. | |
| Accusations of "cronyism" were made after the MSP approved a grant to help the event move to a new site. | |
| MSPs have questioned why the popular event needed taxpayer funds. | MSPs have questioned why the popular event needed taxpayer funds. |
| Ms Hyslop insisted funding was appropriate, transparent and in line with amounts given to other events. | |
| A former SNP aide who set up a meeting between Ms Hyslop and festival organisers DF Concerts has since abandoned plans to stand for election. | A former SNP aide who set up a meeting between Ms Hyslop and festival organisers DF Concerts has since abandoned plans to stand for election. |
| Jennifer Dempsie, a former aide to Alex Salmond, was working on a contract for DF Concerts as a festival project manager at the time of the meeting, ahead of the grant being awarded. | Jennifer Dempsie, a former aide to Alex Salmond, was working on a contract for DF Concerts as a festival project manager at the time of the meeting, ahead of the grant being awarded. |
| She had planned to run as a list MSP for the SNP in the Highlands and Islands constituency in the 2016 elections, but decided earlier this month not to take forward her nomination. | She had planned to run as a list MSP for the SNP in the Highlands and Islands constituency in the 2016 elections, but decided earlier this month not to take forward her nomination. |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has said any indication of cronyism "degrades integrity in government", while the Conservatives and Labour called for "honesty" ahead of the meeting of the education and culture committee. | Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has said any indication of cronyism "degrades integrity in government", while the Conservatives and Labour called for "honesty" ahead of the meeting of the education and culture committee. |
| Labour MSP John Pentland said that while T in the Park is "an iconic Scottish cultural event" which should be supported, he said "serious questions" should be asked. | Labour MSP John Pentland said that while T in the Park is "an iconic Scottish cultural event" which should be supported, he said "serious questions" should be asked. |
| He said: "We need some honesty from the SNP government about this £150,000 payment and the extent of the involvement of a former SNP adviser. | He said: "We need some honesty from the SNP government about this £150,000 payment and the extent of the involvement of a former SNP adviser. |
| "At a time when the SNP government is slashing the budget for local services, people will find it difficult to understand how such a successful company needs an extra £150,000 from the taxpayer." | "At a time when the SNP government is slashing the budget for local services, people will find it difficult to understand how such a successful company needs an extra £150,000 from the taxpayer." |
| Scottish Conservative culture spokeswoman Liz Smith added: "If the claim is being made that the future of the festival was in doubt if this money was not paid over, then surely there was a business case presented to support that argument. | Scottish Conservative culture spokeswoman Liz Smith added: "If the claim is being made that the future of the festival was in doubt if this money was not paid over, then surely there was a business case presented to support that argument. |
| "T in the Park is a popular commercial festival. The public deserve honesty and transparency on this issue from the SNP." | "T in the Park is a popular commercial festival. The public deserve honesty and transparency on this issue from the SNP." |
| Speaking ahead of the hearing, Ms Hyslop said: "The level of funding support provided was in line with the level of funding provided by Scottish government and its bodies to the organisers of other major events such as Edinburgh's Hogmanay, the John Muir Festival, the World Pipe Band Championships, Celtic Connections and the International Book Festival. | Speaking ahead of the hearing, Ms Hyslop said: "The level of funding support provided was in line with the level of funding provided by Scottish government and its bodies to the organisers of other major events such as Edinburgh's Hogmanay, the John Muir Festival, the World Pipe Band Championships, Celtic Connections and the International Book Festival. |
| "The grant was paid by the Scottish government to DF Concerts and Events on 24 July 2015 and, in line with the Scottish government's firm commitment to openness and transparency and in accordance with state aid rules, details of the award were proactively published on the Scottish government's website on 28 July 2015. | "The grant was paid by the Scottish government to DF Concerts and Events on 24 July 2015 and, in line with the Scottish government's firm commitment to openness and transparency and in accordance with state aid rules, details of the award were proactively published on the Scottish government's website on 28 July 2015. |
| "After looking into the matter carefully and taking advice from the permanent secretary, the first minister has concluded that this issue was handled entirely appropriately. | "After looking into the matter carefully and taking advice from the permanent secretary, the first minister has concluded that this issue was handled entirely appropriately. |
| "The awarding of this funding followed normal procedures and was based solely on the merits of the case following an objective assessment by Scottish government officials. I look forward to answering any questions the committee has." | "The awarding of this funding followed normal procedures and was based solely on the merits of the case following an objective assessment by Scottish government officials. I look forward to answering any questions the committee has." |
| A spokeswoman for DF Concerts said there was "nothing secret at all" about the grant, noting that the awards process was "as transparent as it is for any other event or organisation". | A spokeswoman for DF Concerts said there was "nothing secret at all" about the grant, noting that the awards process was "as transparent as it is for any other event or organisation". |
| The festival was staged at Strathallan Castle for the first time this summer, following a move from its long-time home at Balado. | The festival was staged at Strathallan Castle for the first time this summer, following a move from its long-time home at Balado. |
| There were calls for a "major review" after widespread transport problems and delays at the Perthshire site. | There were calls for a "major review" after widespread transport problems and delays at the Perthshire site. |