Backlash grows against Fringe venue in free speech row over ban on Kate Forbes
Summerhall Arts faced criticism from across the political spectrum for indicating that the Deputy First Minister will not be allowed to appear in future due to her views on trans issues.
The organisation, which received more than £600,000 of public cash from Creative Scotland earlier this year, said it was an 'oversight' that she was interviewed onstage at the venue last week and it would now draw up 'robust, proactive inclusion and wellbeing policies' to ensure it doesn't happen again with future bookings.
SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison led the criticism yesterday, saying it 'doesn't send out the right signal around freedom of speech and intolerance', while the Scottish Government said it 'supports individuals' rights to freedom of expression'.
But ministers were urged to go further and ensure that Summerhall and other venues which restrict freedom of speech do not get public cash.
In a separate development, it emerged that the National Library of Scotland had removed a book about the fight against the SNP Government's gender self-ID crusade from a major exhibition following concerns by staff members.
Murdo Fraser, culture spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: 'There's a need across the public sector to understand that free speech needs to be upheld.
'Public bodies like the National Library of Scotland cannot be involved in censorship of public opinion because they want to protect militant activist groups in the workforce. The same has to apply to groups in receipt of public funds.
'Summerhall has received substantial grant funding from Creative Scotland and these grants need to be conditional on certain standard being met, including upholding free speech.
'The idea that anyone is terrified of Kate Forbes is laughable and it is ridiculous that one of the most powerful politicians in the country as Deputy First Minister is not going to be allowed to speak. No organisation taking that view should receive a penny of public funds.'
Mr Fraser said he intends to raise the issue with Culture Secretary Angus Robertson and with Creative Scotland.
Asked about the decision by LBC yesterday, Ms Robison said: 'I think we need to be tolerant of each other's views.
'She is the Deputy First Minister of Scotland and I just think it doesn't send out the right signal around freedom of speech and intolerance.
'I know Kate very well and I just don't think it sends out the right message.'
Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry yesterday raised concerns about 'threats to freedom of speech in Scotland' from within her party and others.
Appearing in a live version of Matt Forde's Political Party at the Edinburgh Fringe, Ms Cherry said: 'It is shocking that a venue in this city has effectively said that the Deputy First Minister is not welcome there, I presume because of her religious faith, and that staff are so coddled that they need to have a safe room provided for them when Kate comes to speak.
'I was at the event that Kate spoke at last week. With all due respect to Kate, it wasn't particularly exciting.'
She said there is a 'real problem' across Scottish society, and added: 'This is a problem which has not grown up from the grassroots; it has been imposed from top down.
'It is only with political leadership that we can address these problems and I fear the political leadership isn't there.
'I hold Nicola Sturgeon responsible for a lot of this - a lot of this nonsense is part of her legacy. But I also hold the current First Minister responsible for not having the courage to speak against it. And I think Anas Sarwar is pretty much missing in action on this as well.'
A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'While ministers have no role in booking or curation decisions taken by individual venues or institutions, the Scottish Government supports individuals' rights to freedom of expression and we are clear that there is no place for any form of discrimination in Scotland.'
Summerhall Arts did not respond yesterday when asked if it would reverse its decision to prepare policies to prevent some artists and politicians like Ms Forbes appearing in future.
A spokesman for Summerhall Arts said: 'The Fringe event referenced passed without incident.
'Forbes is not banned from the Summerhall building which encompasses a cafe, pub, arts venues, galleries and independent traders' offices and studios. Swinney, Curtice, Sarwar, Forbes all entered and exited the building the same way for the events over each day.
'The Herald Unspun events were a paid hire and programmed by The Herald newspaper.'
Other acts to feature in the Summerhall Arts Fringe programme this year include a spoken word performance by Russian activist group Pussy Riot and a show called 'No Apologies', which reimagines the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain as a trans woman.
The programe also includes a performance entitled 'Chat Sh**, Get Hit', which 'dives into women's anger: how it fuels, how it festers and how it is swallowed'.
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