Yousaf rejects request to intervene to speed up restoration of Glasgow School of Art

Humza Yousaf has rejected a request to intervene in the restoration project for the fire-hit Glasgow School of Art.

He was asked at First Minister’s Questions to take the same hands-on approach the French President had with rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral, itself ravaged by fire in 2019.

Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney urged action to speed up the project to reinstate the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building which was gutted by flames in 2014 and again in 2018.

Mr Sweeney said: “Like the French president did with Notre Dame, will the First Minister now personally intervene to expedite the restoration of the Glasgow School of Art by following international best practice and establish a new statutory delivery authority with specific responsibility for developing and delivering the restoration project in concert with the Glasgow School of Art by 2030?”

Repairs on Notre Dame are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

However, while welcoming the Glasgow School of Art’s plan for a “faithful reinstatement” of the “critical” cultural building, Mr Yousaf said he did not think “commandeering” the project was necessary.

“I don’t think the Scottish Government commandeering that building is the right approach,” he said.

“They haven’t made a request to Government at this stage but of course we will look to ensure that we can support the Glasgow School of Art in the restoration of the Mack because it is of critical importance.”

He added he will write to bosses of Glasgow School of Art to ask how the Scottish Government can provide additional support.