John Swinney has suggested an Edinburgh Fringe comedy venue was right to cancel a run of shows by Jewish performers because staff had “safety concerns”.

The First Minister said he could not “dismiss” concerns raised by bar staff working at the venue because of his own security risks as a high profile politician.

But he made his comments only minutes after delivering a keynote speech in which he pledged to protect freedom of speech to inaugurate the Edinburgh International Festival.

Comedians Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon were due to perform at Whistlebinkies during the month-long Fringe festival but had their gigs dramatically pulled after bar staff at the venue allegedly expressed fears of feeling “unsafe”.