The Committee report into the gathering has been released. The report criticises how the venture was handled, including the use of a secret Scottish Government loan to bail out the Gathering Ltd.

Commenting on the report Liberal Democrat Public Audit Committee member, Nicol Stephen MSP said:

“This report is a damming indictment of the actions of Scottish Ministers.

“The secret government loan caused many creditors to enter into contracts with the Gathering Ltd when the company was effectively bust.

“I am certain that the disastrous consequences of the government’s mishandling of the Gathering will continue to keep our courts busy for several years to come.

“Many small businesses who are now owed hundreds of thousands of pounds will feel very angry at the SNP Government’s mishandling of this event.

“They deserve an apology from the First Minister, Alex Salmond.

“The whole thing has been a fiasco.”