Dundee's bid to be the European Capital of Culture for 2023 has been derailed by Brexit.

The European Commission confirmed Dundee will be unable to compete for the prestigious title, because of the UK's decision to leave the European Union.

The news comes as Dundee was preparing to pitch its "once in a lifetime" bid next week.

The bid said in a statement the timing of the decision was "disrespectful."

A letter penned by the director general of the Commission's culture department, Martine Reicherts to Sue Owen, permanent secretary at the UK's Department of Culture, Media and Sport, says: "Following its withdrawal from the EU, the participation of the United Kingdom in the European Capital of Culture action will not be possible."

In addition, the European Commission in Edinburgh then stated: “As one of the many concrete consequences of its decision to leave the European Union by 29 March 2019, the UK cannot host the European Capital of Culture in 2023."

A spokesperson for the Dundee 2023 bid said: “We are hugely disappointed at this decision that has come just days before the Dundee bid team was due to travel to London to make its pitch.

“The timing is disrespectful not only to the citizens of Dundee, but to people from all five bidding cities who have devoted so much time, effort and energy so far in this competition.

“It’s a sad irony that one of the key drivers of our bid was a desire to further enhance our cultural links with Europe.

“We are hugely appreciative of the messages of support that are flooding in from around the world, particularly from our UNESCO city partners

“We are seeking urgent meetings with the UK and Scottish Governments to discuss how the enthusiasm and imagination of Dundee’s bid can be taken forward."

The statement added: "Dundee will also be talking to its Tay Cities region partners, who are such strong supporters of Dundee’s cultural ambitions, and to Scotland’s local authorities who have also backed Dundee’s efforts to become European Capital of Culture 2023.

“Dundee’s bold bid was designed to help continue the transformation of our economy and to provide exciting new opportunities for our young people.

“While the dust is still to settle on what is a bombshell for all of us, the spirit of the bid remains very much alive and kicking.”

The Herald:

Two British cities have been European Capital of Culture: Glasgow in 1990 and Liverpool in 2008.

The bid's chairman, Stewart Murdoch, said the economic impact of the title is estimated to be worth 1,600 new jobs to the city, with an additional 500,000 visits.

The bid has been backed by cross-party support, and the Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop.