Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says Dundee ‘certainly deserves’ to win UK City of Culture title

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has backed Dundee’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2017.

Speaking after a meeting with the city’s bid team at McManus Gallery on Thursday morning, Mr Carmichael said: “From what I have seen of Dundee’s bid and what I have seen of the other bids, I think that this is a tremendously strong bid and whether or not it succeeds, it certainly deserves to.”

Mr Carmichael said the team set to put forward Dundee’s case in Derry next month were “incredibly focused and driven.”

He said: “They have seen the opportunity and they have thrown absolutely everything at it and they are to be absolutely commended.”

Dundee is up against Leicester, Hull and Swansea Bay in the race for title.

The competition winner will be announced on November 20.

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