An Aberdeen University society has withdrawn a speaking invitation to a north-east MSP over her “past actions and inflammatory remarks” on minorities.
Aberdeenshire East member Gillian Martin was due to hold the talk tonight at an event hosted by the university’s politics and international relations society.
But the society decided yesterday to cancel the event.
Ms Martin, who represents the SNP, was heavily criticised last year when online posts she wrote in 2007 about Jewish people, black people, transgender people and other minorities resurfaced.
The society advised members via social media that it had decided against Ms Martin attending.
The statement read: “When organising the event we were excited at the prospect of inviting a representative of the SNP. But we appreciate that we failed to take into consideration Gillian Martin’s past actions and inflammatory remarks regarding Transgender, Jewish and BAME communities.”
Ms Martin said: “It’s a real disappointment that the event won’t be going ahead.
“For one thing, I would have liked the opportunity to directly address the issues that have been raised.
“Issues that I have been able to discuss in satisfactory way with anyone who has put them to me directly in the past.
“I support LGBTQi constituents in any way I can, as I supported the many LGBTQi students I taught for over 13 years as a lecturer.
“I’m confident that a discussion one to one with me would allay any misconceptions and concerns about my views, and would be happy to open my constituency office door to any Aberdeen University student living in my constituency who wanted to have that discussion.”
An Aberdeen University spokeswoman said decisions about speakers were made independently by societies.