First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks to Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon today (2 May 2023) Humza Yousaf has said he hopes a show by an SNP cancelled over her views on trans rights can go ahead. The First Minister said he hoped a “solution” could be found after The Stand in Edinburgh pulled the plug following complaints by staff. Management axed the item last weekend after staff said they did not want to work at an event featuring Cherry. Read More Related Articles SNP signs contract with new auditors as party races to meet deadline Read More Related Articles Tory Cabinet Minister Alister Jack snubs anti-poverty summit She is a leading critic of the Scottish Government's gender recognition legislation, which allows trans people to change their gender without medical oversight. The move sparked an angry backlash and the venue was accused of censorship. Yousaf told the Record: “I hope there is a way of Jo's show going ahead. At the same time, as First Minister it's not for me to tell
comedy clubs or their staff, in terms of what events they should be putting on, or not putting on. Ultimately, I hope there's a solution that can be found. “But you'd be the first one, rightly, to take me to task if the First Minister was demanding a comedy club makes their workers work to put on a show for an SNP MP. He added: “Jo and I have a disagreement around the GRR Bill, for example, but at the same time, I do hope there's a way that her show can go ahead.” Earlier this week Cherry said she hoped The Stand's management would invite her to meet privately so they could understand "her actual views, rather than a distorted version of them". She added: "I would hope The Stand would see sense as a result of the public outcry. There's months to go until the Festival and I would hope The Stand could sort this out." Asked if she would now pursue legal action, Cherry said: "I'm considering all my options at the moment and waiting to see how The Stand react to the public outcry about what they've done." Scottish politics Yousaf 'cancelled vital NHS meetings' Kate Forbes rejects new Cabinet role Ferrier suspension to force by-election Yousaf defends minister for independence In a statement released this week, The Stand said: "Following extensive discussions with our staff it has become clear that a number, including venue management and
box office personnel, were unwilling to work this event. "As we have previously stated, we will ensure that their views are respected. "We will not compel our staff to work on this event and so have concluded that the event is unable to proceed on a properly staffed, safe and legally compliant basis. "We advised the show producers, Fair Pley Productions, of this operational issue and they advised Joanna Cherry is it no longer possible to host the event in our venue." To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here . Read next: Scots nightclub lands punters in hot water with pics of them in bar when they were meant to be at work Under-fire Scots ferry firm slammed for sending bosses on £1k-a-night Med cruise Hero schoolgirl saves baby from horror
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