Comedian cancels Fringe show after 'terror' charge

The van was driven into the perimeter fence surrounding Leonardo UK's Edinburgh facility on Tuesday

Comedian Susan Riddell has cancelled her Edinburgh Fringe show because she cannot travel into the city under bail conditions imposed after a van was allegedly driven into a defence factory fence.

Ms Riddell was one of three women arrested in connection with the incident at Leonardo UK's facility on Crewe Road North last week.

At a private hearing via videolink at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, she made no plea to a charge of malicious mischief, aggravated by having a "terrorist connection".

Her new show How Do You Sleep at Night? had been due to run for a month at the festival, which begins next week.

Ms Riddell is a regular panellist on BBC Scotland's Breaking the News and The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected, and recently presented BBC Edinburgh Unlocked.

She has also written and starred in her own BBC mini-sitcom pilot Dregs.

In an Instagram post, Ms Riddell said: "Thanks to everyone who has shared my Edinburgh fringe show but unfortunately due to bail conditions I'm barred from Edinburgh for the foreseeable so I won't be doing my show."

The Glasgow-based comedian's hour-long show had a 19:15 slot at Monkey Barrel at The Tron from 28 July until 24 August.

However, her bail conditions have restricted her travel into the capital.

She was charged alongside Allegra Fitzherbert, 34, of London, and Naomi Stubbs-Gorman, 31, of Glasgow - all of whom made no pleas at the court hearing.

Ms Riddell was also charged with an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 which was "aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection".

The Shut Down Leonardo campaign had said it was protesting against the company's laser targeting system, which it claims is used by the Israeli military.

Leonardo said it does not supply equipment directly to Israel and that its main customer is the UK's armed forces.