Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson Iain Smith MSP has slammed the SNP’s shambolic handling of the Creative Scotland Bill. The Government’s incompetence resulted in the Bill falling at the first hurdle.

The Culture Minister’s confused and incoherent position and the Minister for Parliamentary Business’ failure to grasp the standing orders of the Scottish Parliament led to the Bill falling at Stage One.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson Iain Smith said:

“Rather than clarifying the future role and funding of the new Creative Scotland agency during today’s Stage One Debate, the Culture Minister simply added to the confusion.

“Between her opening statement and her closing statement in today’s debate, she either changed the funding that was proposed to be transferred from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to Creative Scotland or deliberately misled Parliament.

“This is indicative of the bungling incompetence that has been at the heart of this Bill. It was obvious that concern about this Bill was shared right across the Chamber. The Minister for Parliament’s refusal to withdraw the Bill and its Financial Resolution for debate at a later stage led to the Creative Scotland Bill falling.

“This raises major concerns about the competence of the SNP administration, if it cannot even pass one short Bill that is universally supported in principle. There is now a serious question mark over the future of the Culture Minister."