Creative Scotland accused of misleading MSPs

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has demanded "a very full and comprehensive explanation from Creative Scotland" after the arts funding body was accused of misleading MSPs over a three-screen art installation it supported that would have included non-simulated sex acts.

REIN, directed by Leonie Rae Gasson, was awarded £85,000 by Creative Scotland to develop what was described as “an exploration of dyke sexuality”.

The funding was later withdrawn after concerns were raised when the project's website advertised for people to take part in "non-simulated" sex, including "hardcore" acts.

Iain Munro, Creative Scotland's Chief Executive, has stated that the organisation did not know that the project would include non-simulated sex when it awarded the funding. 

In a letter to Holyrood’s Culture Committee in March he claimed the REIN application had initially stated that sex acts would simulated.

However, documents released under Freedom of Information show that the successful application made clear that there would be “work on a sex scene with genital contact" involving three members of the cast.

Swinney said: “The Culture Secretary [Angus Robertson] has expressed his concerns about the information that’s come to light and he’s asked for urgent discussions with the chair and chief executive of Creative Scotland because we have got to understand the substance of this issue.

“I share the concerns that the Culture Secretary has expressed and I think we need to see a very full and comprehensive explanation from Creative Scotland.”