COMMENT

Edinburgh is at risk of losing its world-leading cultural status if tough visa restrictions are imposed on overseas writers, artists and performers after Brexit, the director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival has warned.

Nick Barley says he is worried about the prospect of travel bans affecting his event after an Iranian children’s author was initially turned down for a visa.

He has said there was “no reason” for the UK government not to make a “special case” for artists visiting the festivals in future.

Mr Barley spearheaded a campaign to overturn a decision by the British embassy in Dubai to turn down a visa application by an Iranian illustrator, Ehsan Abdollahi, to attend the festival.

Speaking ahead of the festival’s launch on Saturday, Mr Barley said: “The root of the success of Edinburgh’s festivals is in their internationalism. We have to fight for it.

“Edinburgh’sfestivalscannot continue to be world-beaters

“The root of the success of Edinburgh’s festivals is in their internationalism. We have to fight for it... It’s an issue which could affect all the festivals.”

NICK BARLEY