Arts body angers MSP

CITY Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm has accused the SNP of treating the Scottish Parliament with contempt by deciding to set up new arts quango Creative Scotland without waiting for MSPs to pass a Bill.

Legislation to create the new body by merging the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen was thrown out before the summer because of concerns about the financial arrangements.

Mr Chisholm, MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith and Labour's culture spokesman, said: "This is bypassing parliament and treating it with contempt." He said MSPs had been concerned the new body was being asked to do a more with no increase in budget.