A prominent SNP MP has slammed an Edinburgh comedy club for "no-platforming" her in a row over trans rights.
Joanna Cherry had been due to be interviewed as a guest at a Fringe festival show at The Stand in August.
The Record understands the event was cancelled over the weekend after staff at the club told bosses they would be uncomfortable working it.
Management took the decision to cancel the show now despite it not taking place for another three months.
Cherry is a vocal critic of the Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) legislation, which would allow people to change their legally-recognised gender more quickly.
Her stance has put her at odds with many other SNP parliamentarians.
The Stand's decision comes after a stand-up comedian pulled out of a gig at the club in March in protest at it booking the MP.
Bethany Black, who is trans, claimed Cherry wanted to "exclude people like me from public life".
The MP has repeatedly said she wants equal rights for trans people despite her concerns over self-identification.
Cherry today accused The Stand of "unlawful discrimination" following the cancellation.
"It should not be possible for venues or their staff to no-platform lesbians or feminists who believe that sex is an immutable biological fact just because of our sexuality or our beliefs," she said.
"That sort of discrimination is unlawful and I'm sure most people would agree it's not acceptable."
Cherry also suggested staff at The Stand felt under pressure because of protesters.
She added: "The failure to do so and the actions of some political figures in fostering an intolerant and hateful climate where small groups of activists now decide who can speak and what can be discussed needs to be called out.
"What does it say about the Fringe and Edinburgh, the home of the enlightenment, when an elected Edinburgh politician can't be asked questions on stage in the city they represent?"
The Stand was co-founded in 1995 by Tommy Sheppard, who went on to become an SNP MP for Edinburgh East in 2015.
He stepped back from operational duties at the club upon his election eight years ago.
The MP declined to comment today when asked by the Record about Cherry's allegations.
In a statement, a spokesman for 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."
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