Edinburgh Fringe Venue Admits Unlawful Discrimination Against Jewish Comedian

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue Banshee Labyrinth has admitted it unlawfully discriminated against Jewish stand-up comedian Philip Simon by cancelling his show over his pro-Israel views last year. The admission came during a court hearing on Monday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, with the judge later criticizing the venue for delaying its concession until the eve of the trial.

Simon had been scheduled to perform his solo show "Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way" at the venue on Niddry Street in August 2025. The venue pulled the show, with its owner, Morrison Bros Ltd, stating at the time that Simon had expressed views which "align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups associated with humanitarian violations" in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response, Simon stated he had been "cancelled just for being Jewish," emphasizing that his show was not political and that he supported peace.

Simon subsequently launched a lawsuit for unlawful belief-based discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. In a hearing presided over by Sheriff Roderick Flinn, Simon's lawyer, David Welsh, informed the court that the venue had conceded liability on the eve of the proceedings. "The...