Banning Kate Forbes was just 'idiotic', insists venue founder, as he blames 'cancel culture way of thinking'
Creative Scotland, which awarded Summerhall Arts £608,000 of public funding in January, said it was 'in dialogue' with the venue after the high-profile censorship row.
It came as the founder of the arts centre denounced the episode and said Summerhall had been 'stupid'.
The Deputy First Minister, a devout Christian who opposed the SNP 's gender self-ID plans, was effectively banned after she took part in a political discussion at the venue.
After performers reported being 'terrified' of the 5ft 2in MSP, the arts charity apologised and said the booking was an 'oversight' which would not happen again.
Bosses even set up a 'safe room' for artists and staff when Ms Forbes was in the building.
'We have work to do to repair the damage from this oversight,' Summerhall Arts said.
'At this stage, we can guarantee that we will be writing robust, proactive inclusion and wellbeing policies that prevent this from happening again.'
But the organisation climbed down after the Scottish Tories accused it of breaking the law by stifling free speech and called for its funding to be clawed back.
Chief executive Sam Gough went on to say: 'No one is banned from appearing on the stages.'
The venue's founder Robert McDowell, who is no longer involved with the former Edinburgh University vet school building, has blamed a 'cancel culture way of thinking' for the row.
He told the Herald: 'I've not been able to find out who issued that apology. It was nonsense.
'What are the arts if they don't allow freedom of speech? If somebody has an objection to something, you don't ban it.
'You turn up and ask a question. It's an opportunity to say what you think. Whoever compiled that statement was just addressing their friends. It's part of a cancel culture way of thinking.'
He added: 'The idea you could ever construct a way of doing this is idiotic. It would be impossible. There's no way you could second guess artists or shows.
'I could see how the apology happened, but it was silly and stupid. It's what happens when people rush to judgment.'
Mr McDowell said he had 'sat in' on Kate Forbes' session, adding: 'I think she is a lovely person.
'It's important for freedom of speech to question people in public, and to have discussion and debates in public.'
Creative Scotland said: 'We are in dialogue with Summerhall Arts to understand recent events and the steps they are taking to address concerns that have been raised.
'There's been a verbal meeting and that may lead to a more formalised meeting.'
John Swinney last night joined the criticism of Summerhall Arts.
The First Minister said: 'There's no reason Kate Forbes shouldn't be able to speak at any venue in Scotland.' Asked about a taxpayer funded facility banning her, he said: 'I don't think that's appropriate.'
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