The U.K. live music industry is suing the British Government for refusing to publish the results of its Events Research Programme, leaving events organizers and workers in peril. The lawsuit intends to force its hand.
Results from the report, which were scheduled to be released Monday, will reveal whether the Government has any scientific basis for its decision to maintain restrictions on events following the four-week delay to its reopening plan, reports IQ. The report also contains safety guidance for event organizers, the lack of which is resulting in many summer festivals cancelling for a second year, including Kendal Calling, Truck and Let’s Rock. Further decisions are expected soon.
Umbrella trade body LIVE as well as theater businesses including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group filed the lawsuit. It says the Government has “flagrantly breached the ‘duty of candour’ which requires it to be transparent when faced with a legal challenge and that none of the reasons given for withholding the Events Research Programme material they seek withstand scrutiny.”
