Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 March 2026 [Draft]
11 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Freedom of Speech (Culture Sector)
The first point that I will make is that—as I hope that Tess White knows—Creative Scotland operates at arm’s length from Government. It does so for very good reasons, because it is not for a culture secretary to order an arm’s-length organisation when it comes to creative content. In relation to the case that Tess White mentioned, Creative Scotland has clarified that it does not regulate editorial content. Intervention is possible only where funding conditions are breached, and its funding approach is shaped by equalities and access priorities. However, if Tess White would like to write to me about the specific case, I would be content to write back to her.
In the same item of business
7. Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support freedom of speech across the cultural sector. (S6O-05617)
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson)
SNP
The Scottish Government recognises freedom of speech as an essential part of a healthy culture sector and democracy. At the same time, the exercise of that r...
Tess White
Con
Poet and novelist Polly Clark was shamefully cancelled by literary magazine Gutter for her gender critical beliefs. Gutter is funded by Scottish National Par...
Angus Robertson
SNP
The first point that I will make is that—as I hope that Tess White knows—Creative Scotland operates at arm’s length from Government. It does so for very good...