THE head of Scotland's new culture commission has step-ped into the row over Scottish Opera with an outspoken defence of the first minister.
In an article for The Herald, James Boyle appears to suggest that Scottish Opera is at fault for not running within budget and praises Jack McConnell and Frank McAveety, culture minister, for dealing decisively with a company which he says has ''not managed its business''.
Mr Boyle, former head of BBC Radio 4 and chair of the Scottish Arts Council, claims the attacks on Mr McConnell may be based on a form of snobbery, pointing out both the first minister and his culture minister have west of Scotland accents and suggesting this is the real reason they have been accused of an inability to appreciate the fine arts.
Mr Boyle asks: ''Is that the real origin of the charge of philistinism . . . Can there
really be a case in modern Scotland for attacking the first minister because of who he is and how he sounds rather than what he has done?''
The first minister has come under heavy fire following accusations he leaked sensitive details about a proposed (pounds) 5m rescue plan for Scottish Opera to the Sunday Herald which would aid its transition into a smaller company that can ''live within its means''.
However, Mr Boyle defends Mr McConnell, saying: ''It is an absolute obligation on us all to respect the office of the first minister.''
He adds that the row over Scottish Opera is not ''a matter of such moment that it takes precedence over our obligation to respect the office of the leader of government''.
Mr Boyle is also critical of the opera itself: ''Why should any company be allowed to be profligate? Where is the philistinism in a determination to protect the public purse?''
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