First Minister upstaged by heckler groups

JOHN Swinney described the ongoing crisis in Gaza as a “genocide” after a Fringe show he appeared at was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian activists.

- BY CRAIG PATON

Cops were called to the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh after the First Minister was interrupted seven times by six different groups of protesters during a conversation with comic Susan Morrison.

Protesters urged him to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms firms.

After the event, the First Minister said: “It's quite clear there is a genocide in Palestine - it can’t be disputed.