Edinburgh Council's former leader has slammed the new administration for not putting together a "serious bid" for Eurovision 2023 which he said was submitted "far too late".
Cllr Adam McVey expressed regret as it was announced Edinburgh didn't make the shortlist, but urged people to 'get behind Glasgow' which is the only Scottish city to have made it through to the next round.
Following confirmation last month that next year's event will take place in the UK, the council indicated a bid for the capital to host would be put forward.
READ MORE: Edinburgh enters its official bid to host 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
However, it was only announced on Thursday (August 11) – one day before the deadline for bids – that it had been formally submitted to the BBC.
The ex-SNP counci leader said: "In the recent Eurovision fictional movie it was Edinburgh providing the backdrop of the competition and – as always – looked fabulous doing it.
"Unfortunately the council administration took two weeks longer than other cities before it announced Edinburgh was making a bid. Few details have been shared of this bid but it’s now apparent that the administration didn’t pull together the partnerships required with key groups in the capital to make it a serious bid."
Making the case for Edinburgh, which hosted the competition in 1972, Mr McVey said the city is "the most European city in the UK with links around the continent and a resident make-up that embodies European culture and values more than any other".
However, he added: "There’s not much point dwelling on the failure of the administration, it’s more important now to get behind Scotland’s last remaining bid in Glasgow and offer any help (just as we did with the Commonwealth Games) to aid their effort.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat group leader Kevin Lang said news of the council's unsuccessful application to host Eurovision next May exposes the city's "weakness" in "not having a major, modern, indoor arena that can host large scale events of this kind".
Cllr Lang added: "I’m sorry but the Highland Showground simply doesn’t cut it. It’s been an issue in the Capital for decades."
The cities now in the running are Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.
Council leader Cammy Day said on Twitter following the announcement: "Thanks to all @Edinburgh_CC colleagues involved in putting our Eurovision submission in. Not this time unfortunately.. my my, our Waterloo can only be another great cities gain."
SNP councillor Finlay Mcfarlane added: "It’s got to be Glasvegas!"
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