Arts Council withdraws £400k grant from Sacha Lord's company

The Arts Council of England has withdrawn a COVID-19 recovery grant exceeding £400,000 awarded to Sacha Lord's company, Primary Event Solutions, due to findings that the application was 'wrong or misleading.' Following this development, Lord announced his resignation as Greater Manchester's night-time economy adviser, citing emotional tolls on himself and his family. He claimed the funds were used appropriately but acknowledged there were 'unintended oversights' in the application process. The Arts Council emphasized their commitment to safeguarding public funds and stated they are seeking to recover the grant. Lord expressed concerns over the review process's inconsistencies and its impact on his personal life. This decision comes after a series of investigations and complaints regarding the grant's legitimacy since its award in 2021.