Leader comment: An uncultured snub to Dundee by European Commission

Divorce is rarely entirely amicable, with the bitterness and rancour that often accompanies relationship breakdown making bad decisions more likely.

Campaigners for Dundee to be European Capital of Culture will be disappointed by the news the city will not be considered. (Picture: Alan Richardson)

In excluding Dundee and other British cities from the chance to become the European Capital of Culture in 2023 because of the UK’s impending departure from the EU, the European Commission has made one such mistep.

The UK may be leaving the EU but it remains in Europe, so if only EU countries can apply, the award is misnamed. Announcing the decision shortly before the UK was due to choose the winner looks petty.

Instead, the growing ill-will between the UK and EU appears to have got the better of the Commission. And of course, UK politicians have been far from blameless for creating this toxic atmosphere.

But perhaps every cloud has a silver lining. Can we now look forward to being excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest?