MSP slams SNP plan to review Creative Scotland spending on ‘live sex’ film

Politicians have slammed plans for a “costly and time-consuming” review of Creative Scotland.

They accuse the government of failing to take robust action over the agency’s funding of sexually explicit porn film Rein which sparked a major scandal.

Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said the Scottish Government’s failure to act decisively against Creative Scotland’s decision to splurge £85,000 of public money to fund the controversial “live” sex show was “pathetic and cringeworthy”.

He said: “We’ve already heard what Creative Scotland had to say for themselves for funding this explicit show when their CEO Iain Munro insisted there was no systemic problem with the organisation.

“Instead of taking direct action there and then to ensure public money was never again used to fund what can only be described as a pornographic show, the Scottish Government’s response was pathetic and cringeworthy as usual, kicking the issue down the road rather than confronting those responsible.

“Now they are intent on wasting more time and public money on a so-called review, when all they need to do to ensure Creative Scotland does what it is supposed to do is to hold those responsible for such appalling decisions by ensuring they are removed.

“That should include whoever was responsible for agreeing to fund Rein, as well as officials who signed off and agreed it was an appropriate use of precious public funds.”

In May, Creative Scotland’s £185,000-a-year CEO Munro told MSPs there was “no systemic problem” with the quango.

Their funding of Rein, directed by Leonie Rae Gasson, caused outrage across the UK after The Sunday Post revealed plans to include live sex scenes so deviant, participants required “psychological aftercare.”

Creative Scotland claimed they had not been aware scenes were to be so explicit.

But we can reveal internal documents involved in the initial application for funding contained clear written and pictorial details of “live sex” using “neurodivergent performers” and “sex workers” wielding sex toys and using lubricant during intimate contact.

In a statement, Leonie Rae Gasson continued to defend her project, saying: “Rein would have been an artistic film exploring themes of sexuality set in the Scottish landscape.

“The sexual elements were an integral part of the project’s artistic vision.

“The allegation that this project would have been harmful or abusive in nature is untrue and highly damaging to the individuals involved.”

The Scottish Government said: “It is routine for public bodies to undergo reviews throughout their lifetime and this will be the first review of Creative Scotland’s remit and functions as a funding body since its establishment in 2010.

“Given the number of new and enduring challenges faced by the sector over the past 14 years, the time is now right for us to ensure that the Scottish Government planned increases in public funding for culture can be maximised to support engagement and participation in the arts into the future.”