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Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt John Swinney Fringe event Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt John Swinney Fringe event
(about 2 hours later)
Watch: Swinney heckled by pro-Palestinian protestorsWatch: Swinney heckled by pro-Palestinian protestors
Pro-Palestinian protesters have disrupted an Edinburgh Fringe Festival event featuring First Minister John Swinney.Pro-Palestinian protesters have disrupted an Edinburgh Fringe Festival event featuring First Minister John Swinney.
He was being interviewed by comedian Susan Morrison when the event was disrupted five times by six different groups of protestersHe was being interviewed by comedian Susan Morrison when the event was disrupted five times by six different groups of protesters
They called for an end to funding arms companies through the Scottish government's economic agency Scottish Enterprise.They called for an end to funding arms companies through the Scottish government's economic agency Scottish Enterprise.
Afterwards, Swinney described the situation in Palestine as "a genocide".Afterwards, Swinney described the situation in Palestine as "a genocide".
The protesters disrupted the event in EdinburghThe protesters disrupted the event in Edinburgh
The event, billed as a conversation about "life, art, politics and Scotland's future" was taking place in the Stand comedy venue in York Place.The event, billed as a conversation about "life, art, politics and Scotland's future" was taking place in the Stand comedy venue in York Place.
Police attended as tensions rose between the protesters and other members of the audience.Police attended as tensions rose between the protesters and other members of the audience.
The first minister's security team is reported to have aided in refraining people from berating Swinney on the stage.The first minister's security team is reported to have aided in refraining people from berating Swinney on the stage.
Video posted on the social media site X shows him sitting quietly while the confrontation takes place.Video posted on the social media site X shows him sitting quietly while the confrontation takes place.
A spokesperson for the Stand told BBC Scotland News told BBC Scotland News they had no prior knowledge of the protest but as a company they are "fully opposed to the genocide" and have taken "practical steps to loudly support Palestinian human rights".A spokesperson for the Stand told BBC Scotland News told BBC Scotland News they had no prior knowledge of the protest but as a company they are "fully opposed to the genocide" and have taken "practical steps to loudly support Palestinian human rights".
Swinney has repeatedly spoken out about the war between Israel and Gaza.Swinney has repeatedly spoken out about the war between Israel and Gaza.
He has called for a ceasefire between the two and has lobbied the UK government to recognise Palestine as a state.He has called for a ceasefire between the two and has lobbied the UK government to recognise Palestine as a state.
Last week he spoke to Donald Trump about the war when the two met during the president's Scottish visit.Last week he spoke to Donald Trump about the war when the two met during the president's Scottish visit.
'Terrible atrocities''Terrible atrocities'
The protesters urged the first minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies.The protesters urged the first minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies.
Speaking to journalists after the event, the first minister said: "It's quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine - it can't be disputed.Speaking to journalists after the event, the first minister said: "It's quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine - it can't be disputed.
"I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide."I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide.
"I've expressed that and obviously it's not reached all those individuals, but that's my feeling.""I've expressed that and obviously it's not reached all those individuals, but that's my feeling."
The Scottish government has also been criticised for - while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions - providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons.The Scottish government has also been criticised for - while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions - providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons.
But the first minister said the Government's commercial arm Scottish Enterprise has the "strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies who may be related to defence industries".But the first minister said the Government's commercial arm Scottish Enterprise has the "strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies who may be related to defence industries".
Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the first minister added: "We're trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that's the purpose.Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the first minister added: "We're trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that's the purpose.
"That's why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly.""That's why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly."
'Protect freedom of speech''Protect freedom of speech'
The confrontation in Edinburgh came just two days after the first minister gave a speech in the capital to mark the opening of the Edinburgh festivals.The confrontation in Edinburgh came just two days after the first minister gave a speech in the capital to mark the opening of the Edinburgh festivals.
He said freedom of expression is under "greater and greater attack" at home and around the world.He said freedom of expression is under "greater and greater attack" at home and around the world.
"I want to ensure that Scotland – the birthplace of the enlightenment – remains a country of robust debate and inquiry."I want to ensure that Scotland – the birthplace of the enlightenment – remains a country of robust debate and inquiry.
"I firmly believe that art and culture must be able to challenge us, to ask us tough questions, and to force us to look at things from different perspectives," he said."I firmly believe that art and culture must be able to challenge us, to ask us tough questions, and to force us to look at things from different perspectives," he said.
"And yes, it must at times be allowed to shock and to offend us. It can also heal us."And yes, it must at times be allowed to shock and to offend us. It can also heal us.
"So let me be absolutely clear – as first minister I will always protect freedom of speech in our country. It is not the first minister's job to tell you what to create – nor would I ever seek to do so.""So let me be absolutely clear – as first minister I will always protect freedom of speech in our country. It is not the first minister's job to tell you what to create – nor would I ever seek to do so."
For almost 80 years, Edinburgh's festivals have been a place to say whatever you want.
The challenge with a city full of thousands of shows is to capture attention. And just being there can bring protests.
In 2012, a demonstration was staged outside the Playhouse theatre against the Israeli government's funding of a performance by Batsheva Dance Company.
But the protesters also got inside the theatre where they staged a silent protest, standing and raising placards during the show.
In 2023, Greta Thunberg pulled out of an event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival because it received funding from the investment firm Baillie Gifford, who she claimed invested heavily in the fossil fuel industry.
A number of authors joined the revolt and the festival ended its 20-year partnership with the wealthy and famously generous Edinburgh firm.
But many venues prefer to avoid protest and the last few years have seen the cancellation of a number of shows which were deemed likely to cause offence to staff or audiences.
The former SNP MP Joanna Cherry threatened legal action last year when the Stand tried to cancel her event over her gender critical views.
In the end, her show didn't attract protests, although security was increased around it. And safety concerns seem to be the sharpest way to avoid confrontation.
John Swinney declared the Irish band Kneecap had "crossed a line" with their comments about killing MPs.
It was then only a matter of time before Police Scotland told the TRNSMT festival that they had safety concerns and the band's appearance was cancelled.
The first minister has already made one appearance at the festivals, a formal speech to welcome the world to the birthplace of the enlightenment.
He may have imagined that a cosy conversation in a comedy club would have gone unnoticed in the maelstrom of cultural offerings.
But that's the festival for you. Uncensored, unpredictable, where anything goes.