Brussels has blocked British cities from competing to be the European capital of culture – leaving councils preparing bids potentially millions of pounds out of pocket.
The move has sparked fury in the UK where five councils have spent the past 12 months painstakingly preparing their bids.
The European Commission said Brexit means UK cities cannot bid for the coveted title – even though outer countries outside the bloc have been allowed to.
And British officials and politicians are furious at the decision, pointing out that the bloc could have told the UK after the referendum 18 months ago.
Leeds Council, one of the authorities bidding for the title, has already spent £500,000 preparing their bid.
Altogether there were five bids – from Dundee, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, and a joint proposal from Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane – meaning councils could have wasted millions of pounds.
The European Commission said Brexit means UK cities cannot bid for the coveted title – even though outer countries outside the bloc have been allowed to (file pic)
They had started putting together their bids last December but the Commission has only just announced its decision.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport said hey followed very step of the bidding process to the letter and are ‘disappointed’ at the decision.
A spokeswoman said: ‘We disagree with the European Commission’s stance and are deeply disappointed that it has waited until after UK cities have submitted their final bids before communicating this new position to us.
‘The Prime Minister has been clear that while we are leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe and this has been welcomed by EU leaders.
‘We want to continue working with our friends in Europe to promote the long-term economic development of our continent, which may include participating in cultural programmes.
‘We remain committed to working with the five UK cities that have submitted bids to help them realise their cultural ambitions and we are in urgent discussions with the Commission on the matter.’
Tom Watson, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, hit out at the move to ‘shun’ Britain.
He said: ‘The news that the UK has been shunned from this European cultural competition is a great shame for the whole country and particularly for the cities that had put in bids to be the European Capital of Culture in 2023.
‘Some cities have already spent up to £500,000 on their bid submissions.
‘Being the Capital of Culture had a transformative effect in Glasgow and Liverpool, fuelling regeneration, tourism and community pride. That opportunity has now been taken away from the bidding cities.
labour MP Tom Watson, pictured at the party conference in September, said the decision meant Britain was being ‘shunned’ by the bloc
‘The Government must now explain how they intend to ensure that Brexit does not leave us culturally isolated from Europe and how the economic and cultural benefits that accompany the European capital of culture will be maintained.’
Councils contacted by Mail Online said they are speaking to the Government to try to get clarity on the shock decision.
The last British city made European capital of culture was Liverpool which was awarded the title in 2008.
The accolade rotates around different European countries and it was Britain’s turn to be given it again in 2023.
While Brussels says Brexit means we cannot have the title, but other non-EU cities have been given it – including Reykjavík in Iceland.