As a result of Brexit, the UK has been disqualified from hosting the the European Capital of Culture in 2023 ? a move that has been described as gutting.
The European Commission confirmed yesterday, 23 November 2017, that the UK's turn to host the European Capital of Culture in 2023 has been cancelled, in the wake of the country's plans to leave the EU in 2019.
The ruling comes despite the fact that bids had already been submitted by five UK cities: Dundee, Nottingham, Leeds, Milton Keynes and Belfast/Derry.
The European Commission also said that the UK will not be allowed to host the event in future years.
The UK government is now holding "urgent discussions" to discuss the ruling.
"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," reads a statement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Industry body "gutted" about ruling
The move has also been met with criticism from the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), the representative body for the country's art and design sector.
CIF pointed out that countries outside of the EU have previously held the title, namely Istanbul, Turkey, in 2010; Stavanger, Norway, in 2008; and Reykjavík, Iceland, in 2000.
"We are gutted to learn that the UK will not be allowed to host the European Capital of Culture as planned in 2023 after Bre...