CLACKS MP John Nicolson is to refer a minister's comments to the Speaker of the House of Commons after Scots were accused of stealing arts cash.

The area's MP and shadow culture secretary was left angry after digital and culture minister Caroline Dinenage suggested industry leaders had "trousered" funding comments when responding to questions last week.

The minister was being questioned on why the UK Government is pulling out of Creative Europe – a programme for the cultural sector that requires no EU membership.

Ms Dinenage, who earlier responded to MP Dr Philippa Whitford on the issue, told Mr Nicolson: "I have already explained in this chamber that we intend to find an alternative to the Creative Europe fund, that will be set out as part of the comprehensive spending review.

"I do not really like having lectures from the honourable gentleman about what is 'good enough'.

"This government have worked round the clock with the sector to provide £1.57billion of support in the form of a cultural recovery package, £97million of which has gone to Scotland, and yet — guess what? — only £59million of that has so far been announced for disposal.

"What have they done — trousered the rest of it?"

Following the exchange, MP Nicolson said: "Debates in the Commons are generally of low quality as Tory ministers rarely answer questions.

"But this response sunk to a new low.

"As a seriously allegation was made by the minister, I will be asking her for further details — specifically who she believes to be stealing cash — and I will be referring her comments to the speaker for clarification."

The Advertiser contacted the UK Government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport for a response, but did not receive one before publication.