Pro-Palestinian protesters have disrupted an Edinburgh Fringe Festival event featuring First Minister John Swinney.

He was being interviewed by comedian Susan Morrison when the event was disrupted five times by six different groups of protesters

They held up signs spelling the word “genocide” and shouted at the first minister, according to the Press Association.

The protesters called for an end to funding arms companies through the Scottish government’s economic agency Scottish Enterprise.

The event, billed as a conversation about “life, art, politics and Scotland’s future” was taking place in the Stand comedy venue in York Place.

Police attended as tensions rose between the protesters and other members of the audience.

The first minister’s security team is reported to have aided in retaining people from berating Swinney on the stage.

Video posted on the social media site X shows him sitting quietly while the confrontation takes place.

Swinney has repeatedly spoken out about the war between Israel and Gaza.

He has called for a ceasefire between the two and has lobbied the UK government to recognise Palestine as a state.

Last week he spoke to Donald Trump about the war when the two met during the president’s Scottish visit.

The protesters urged the first minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies.

Speaking to journalists after the event, the first minister said: “It’s quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine – it can’t be disputed.

“I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide.

“I’ve expressed that and obviously it’s not reached all those individuals, but that’s my feeling.”

The Scottish government has also been criticised for – while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions – providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons.

But the first minister said the Government’s commercial arm Scottish Enterprise has the “strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies who may be related to defence industries”.

Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the first minister added: “We’re trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that’s the purpose.

“That’s why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly.”

The confrontation in Edinburgh came just two days after the first minister gave a speech in the capital to mark the opening of the Edinburgh festivals.

He said freedom of expression is under “greater and greater attack” at home and around the world.

“I want to ensure that Scotland – the birthplace of the enlightenment – remains a country of robust debate and inquiry.

“I firmly believe that art and culture must be able to challenge us, to ask us tough questions, and to force us to look at things from different perspectives,” he said.

“And yes, it must at times be allowed to shock and to offend us. It can also heal us.

“So let me be absolutely clear – as first minister I will always protect freedom of speech in our country. It is not the first minister’s job to tell you what to create – nor would I ever seek to do so.”