Business dealings with Janey Godley: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for information in relation to the Scottish Government's business dealings with the comedian Janey Godley, including:

• A copy of all contracts and agreements.
• A list of all payments of (a) fees and (b) expenses, by date.
• A copy of all communications with JG or her agent.
• For each contract / agreement, a copy of all selection and vetting processes undertaken.

Response

There is no contract or communications between the Scottish Government and Ms Godley or her agent. All matters relating to casting are managed through the Scottish Government’s appointed creative services agency and their appointed production company.

Ms Godley received a fee of £10,000 + VAT for participation in the campaign. This payment is in-line with the industry standard for such a high-profile campaign. Ms Godley has now agreed to donate her fee to charity.

As part of the contract between the creative services agency and Ms Godley, she was asked to disclose any reason that may bring the campaign or organisation into disrepute. This was signed by Ms Godley’s agent declaring there was nothing in her past activity of concern.

In addition, within the timescales that the campaign was developed, a review was undertaken by the creative services agency of Ms Godley’s social media activity from the start of the pandemic to the campaign launch. Whilst this highlighted some profanities and very directly-worded content there were no findings reported to the Scottish Government in relation to the vetting process which led us to
conclude that Ms Godley should not be used as part of the campaign.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.