Overview
- On Monday the venue’s owner, Morrison Bros Ltd, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court it had unlawfully discriminated against Philip Simon and the parties agreed liability was resolved in his favour.
- The Banshee Labyrinth originally cancelled Simon’s 2025 Fringe show after reviewing his public comments about the Israel–Gaza conflict and saying those views "align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups associated with humanitarian violations."
- Simon said he was cancelled "just for being Jewish," said he supports freeing hostages and seeking peace, and said the venue rejected earlier settlement offers that included an apology, antisemitism training and a donation to a related charity.
- Sheriff Roderick Flinn recorded that the venue had acted unreasonably by waiting until days before the hearing to concede and ordered that preparation expenses for the substantive hearing be paid at a higher solicitor–client rate while damages are set later.
- Campaigners and industry figures condemned the case as an example of discrimination against Jewish performers and the dispute highlights wider questions about how arts venues screen artists’ public views and apply Equality Act protections for religion and belief.