CREATIVE Scotland has withdrawn support for an explicit sex film following a review.
The organisation said earlier this week it was reviewing a decision to give £85,000 of funding to a film called Rein, which was promoted as featuring unsimulated sex, saying the project was “considerably more explicit” than first thought.
The money was approved through the National Lottery Open Fund and the filmmakers sought to recruit over-18s with previous sex work experience "particularly in porn contexts" to apply to feature in what would be a "magical erotic journey through a distinctly Scottish landscape".
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said it should not have received public money.
READ MORE: Scottish writer Val McDermid gets behind National's Gaza fundraiser
A statement by Creative Scotland said support has now been withdrawn given there had been a "significant change" in the nature of the project that was presented in the original application.
The organisation said: "Following a review of the application, assessment, and contractual agreement regarding the project Rein, Creative Scotland has made the decision to withdraw support for this project and will be seeking recovery of funding paid in respect of this award to date.
"What has emerged in the latest phase of the project represents a breach of the conditions of funding award, as the nature of the project has changed.
"The central role that ‘non-simulated’ (i.e real) sex acts now play in the project, marks a significant change to the nature of the work presented in the original application which was assessed for funding.
"This significant change to the nature of the work has been evidenced in the most recent announcement on the project’s website, without the agreement of Creative Scotland."
The statement added Creative Scotland had "important responsibilities" to the public for the appropriate use of public funding.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel