A Holyrood investigation into the cost of Dundee’s V&A has once again been rejected, with a senior SNP figure failing to consult his committee on the decision.
SNP members of the education and culture committee used their majority to voice their strong opposition to taking evidence from the main players during a private session last month, sparking anger amongst opposition politicians.
Convener Stewart Maxwell has rejected a second bid from Labour’s culture spokeswoman Claire Baker to bring the issue back to the table after it emerged the city council told ministers the museum was over budget nine months before the public was told.
In a letter to the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, Mr Maxwell said: “As agreed at its meeting on 27 January 2015, the committee will await the conclusion of the review being undertaken by John McClelland before considering whether to undertake any further work on this issue.
“I do not consider that there has been any significant development since this decision was made that alters this agreed position.”
Parliamentary Questions by Ms Baker forced Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop to admit the council told the Scottish Government it was heading over budget last April and gave her a month’s notice that the full cost would rise to more than £80 million before the news was made public.
It is understood Mr Maxwell did not allow committee members to discuss the possibility of re-examining the issue, despite the new information.
Ms Baker said: “There is no end date to the Dundee City Council inquiry and with SNP committee members resisting holding one in the Scottish Parliament it looks like they are attempting to kick this embarrassing fiasco into the long grass.
“The reality is that if the Scottish Government and Dundee City Council had been open and transparent about the whole process from the beginning then we would all be looking forward to work on the V&A finally getting under way.”
Mr Maxwell said: “An independent inquiry into the V&A is being taken forward by Dundee City Council and that needs to be allowed to run its course.”