The creator of Doune the Rabbit Hole has hit out at a “campaign of lies” after the Bectu union called on artists, contractors and festivalgoers to boycott the event due to money still being owed.
Craig Murray, the former diplomat and blogger behind the company, previously revealed that financial issues which led to the festival’s liquidation in 2022 were “his fault” and confirmed a repayment plan to those owed money was in place.
However, the Bectu union has claimed that the company still owes “tens of thousands of pounds” to performers and crews who performed and worked at last year’s event and “multiple previous festivals”.
In a public statement, they said: “At this point we are now advising members, non members and artists to avoid this festival. We would call on any acts who have agreed to play to seriously consider whether they want to play at a festival which owes so much money.
“The organisers seem to be making as many excuses as possible to not even start paying people back or holding good on their promise of upfront payment.
“Many acts from last year are owed tens of thousands of pounds and ultimately made a loss playing the festival due to having to pay their crew.”
The event, Scotland’s largest outdoor camping music festival, is set to return to the Cardross Estate in Stirling from July 21 until July 23.
Director Craig Murray has admitted that payments are still owed from the 2022 event, but described claims that money is owed from previous years as a “campaign of lies” which could “destroy” the festival.
He said the festival was doing all it could to clear its outstanding bills, and that the only way to do this was if the 2023 event makes profit.
Addressing the claims on Twitter, he wrote: “There are NO debts from pre 2022 except a small one to a lighting company and that situation is complex. Extraordinary number of lies being told.
“The only way any of the outstanding 2022 payments can be made is if 2023 makes a profit.
“Cancellation of 2023 would mean nobody gets paid. And an independent festival which has paid a very large sum to Scottish artists since 2008, and given many their first paid gig, will be lost.
“It is a community, family festival which has never been run for profit. I am the “owner” and have never taken one single penny in profit, dividend, salary, fee or even expenses.
“This politically motivated campaign of lies to close the festival is disgusting.
“If we make money in 2023 you can start to be paid. How would destroying the festival help?”
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