Fiona Hyslop could be hauled back before a Holyrood committee after MSPs decided questions remain unanswered about a government grant to T in the Park.
Opposition parties on the education and culture committee have written to the group’s convener, Stewart Maxwell, asking him to recall the Government minister to discuss the award of £150,000 to the festival.
Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative representatives said they were not provided with “satisfactory and detailed responses” when the culture secretary appeared before them on Tuesday.
The Courier understands Mr Maxwell is looking at the request sympathetically and the issue is likely to be discussed at the next meeting.
MSPs Liam McArthur, Liz Smith, Mark Griffin and John Pentland note what they call unanswered questions, including whether all other revenue streams were exhausted before public money was sought and granted, what Ms Hyslop knew about ticket sales and how an event’s profitability comes into consideration when awarding such a grant.
In their letter they say: “We are not satisfied that it has been scrutinised to the extent required and to which the public would expect.”
Ms Hyslop was criticised for her appearance before the Holyrood committee where she faced questions about why she approved the cash to help the festival move location from Balado to Strathallan and the role of Jennifer Dempsie, a former SNP special adviser who set up a meeting between the minister and T in the Park promoters DF Concerts.
Discussion of the committee’s “work programme” is on the agenda for the next meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, and it is likely the festival will be discussed again during that session.
A spokesman for Ms Hyslop said: “The education and culture committee’s busy remit covers a range of important issues, such as school attainment and improving access to childcare yet opposition parties seem more interested in pursuing conspiracy theories that have already been comprehensively refuted.
“Ms Hyslop answered questions from the opposition for well over an hour on this and stayed on until no members had any questions left to ask.
“She has also answered questions on T in the Park both in writing and in the Scottish Parliament chamber, as well as publishing over 600 pages of relevant documents.”