Leeds 2023 leaders question legal status of Capital of Culture decision
The leaders of the five cities bidding for European Capital of Culture status have urged the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to take urgent legal advice following last week’s Brexit bombshell that UK cities would be barred from entering the race for the title.
A statement signed by representatives from Leeds, Nottingham, Dundee, Belfast and Milton Keynes said that the cities have “collectively “requested that DCMS takes further advice on the legal status of the announcement as a matter of urgency.”
The move follows a meeting on Tuesday when representatives from the five cities met with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport including John Glen MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, to discuss the letter sent last week to the UK Government by the European Commission stating that the participation of the UK in the European Capital of Culture in 2023 will not be possible.
The statement adds: “The meeting with DCMS was positive and we were encouraged by their commitment to try and resolve this issue with the European Commission and agree a clear way forward for the cities involved.
“We urged the Department to continue its negotiations with the European Commission on the legitimacy of its latest decision. In particular we wish to highlight that the announcement by the European Commission counters a very recent decision of the European Parliament in June 2017 and of the Council in September 2017 which includes a calendar confirming the UK as the host country in 2023. In addition we are seeking clarity given that the United Kingdom has not yet left the EU and the terms of that departure are not yet agreed.
“We have collectively therefore requested that DCMS takes further advice on the legal status of the announcement as a matter of urgency.
“We all recognise the urgent need to reach a conclusion in a timescale that allows us to harness the momentum in our cities. Therefore intensive and constructive discussions will continue over the coming weeks.”
The letter is signed by, among others, Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council.
