AN SNP MSP’s forecast that Scottish sport and charities could potentially lose £75 million in lottery cash through London successfully bidding to host the 2012 Olympics has been shot down by the Scottish Executive.

Last month, before the decision to choose London was made, Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland and convener of the culture committee, said there was no evidence Scottish sport would benefit.

He had also written to International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge calling for the committee to make it a condition of a successful bid that the UK Government reassesses its Games funding plans to ensure Scotland did not lose out financially.

At that time the Executive said that a London Olympics would bring massive investment to Scotland and that thousands of tourists would visit Scotland.

Mr Neil, however, remained unconvinced by “such vague statements that we will see some form of benefit”, and following the announcement of the successful bid, he tabled a Parliamentary question asking the Scottish Executive whether the plans would have a displacement effect on Scottish sport and charitable causes funded by the lottery.

Sports minister Patricia Ferguson has told Mr Neil in a written reply that Scottish ministers had already secured the agreement of the UK Government that Scotland’s contribution to sports lottery funding for the Olympics—around £25 million—will be retained and spent in Scotland.

She said, “The UK government is hopeful that the introduction of new lottery games will continue to boost overall lottery sales.

“Income to the existing good causes is expected to remain close to projected levels until 2009—the end of the current lottery licence period—despite the introduction of new Olympic lottery games.

“The National Lottery share for existing good causes is guaranteed until then. Beyond that the UK Government has announced a consultation on the future shape of lottery funding for arts, film, heritage and sport, with a decision to be announced in June next year.”