AN AWARD ceremony to celebrate those championing diversity and the LGBT+ community across Scotland has been cancelled after a row over ticket prices.
The Icon Awards faced backlash from nominees after it emerged those up for a prize would be required to pay £45 for a ticket to the event, which would increase to £135 for a plus one.
Dear @TheIconAwards can you please remove me from this shortlist. I think it's outrageous that you've seen fit, to charge those nominated £45 to come along to your event. I would be interested to know if @NicolaSturgeon @AnnieLennox and @lorraine are also expected to pay? #RipOff https://t.co/8e0nCE25Pf
— Liam Stevenson (@_liamstevenson) July 26, 2018
Tensions increased when the official Icon Awards Twitter site responded to concerns by Time for Inclusive Education (Tie) campaign founder Liam Stevenson implied he should not criticise the fee as the campaign "happily accepted" a donation of £1000 the previous year.
The controversy prompted the organisation to offer one free ticket to all nominees, while not-for-profit's were offered additional tickets at half price.
Can you enlighten us as to which prize you won? On our records, and on the Instagram post it states 'grant donation', which you have happily accepted.
— The Icon Awards (@TheIconAwards) July 26, 2018
Shortly after nominees and guests began to announce they would no longer be attending the September 18 ceremony in Glasgow's Marriott Hotel, board member Professor Craig White and president James Smith announced their resignation.
On Sunday, organisers announced the awards would be scrapped due to having "too little time to replace a credible board".
In a statement it said: "The charity will now get in touch with all finalists and sponsors to confirm the decision and to organise full refunds to everyone who has booked and paid for tickets.
"Anyone wishing to get in touch to arrange refunds can do so by emailing admin@bigimpactcharity.org.uk."
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