News release 13 August 2008

PARLIAMENT ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF ANNIE LENNOX SESSION AT THE FESTIVAL

The Scottish Parliament regrets to announce that Annie Lennox will not be appearing at the Festival of Politics later this month. Ms Lennox was scheduled to talk about her SING Campaign, which raises awareness of HIV/AIDS, in a near sell-out event on Wednesday 20 August.

For health reasons, Ms Lennox is currently unable to travel and therefore make the journey to Edinburgh for the Festival.

The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP said: “For decades, Annie Lennox has put the health of women in Africa at the heart of her work. Whilst our Festival will naturally miss her, it is only right she is able to concentrate on her own health for a time. We wish Annie well.”

Speaking from London, Annie Lennox said: “I am hugely disappointed not to be able to attend the Festival of Politics this year as it was something I was looking forward to immensely. Once I am back on my feet, it will be my imperative to come back up to Edinburgh at the earliest opportunity.”

Background  

The Festival programme will continue as published aside from this event. Refunds for “Annie Lennox and the SING Campaign” are available from the original ticket vendor.

• People who have bought tickets through Hub Tickets will have the cost of these refunded either to their credit/debit card, or will be sent a cheque, depending on their method of payment, and refunds will be issued automatically.
  
  
• People who bought tickets from the Scottish Parliament may receive a refund by returning their ticket/s in person to the Visitor Services Desk in the Main Hall of the Parliament.

Festival of Politics

Now in its fourth year, the award winning Festival of Politics runs from Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 August and features famous faces from the world of politics, the arts and the media.

This year’s Festival of Politics is delivered in formal partnership with:
Carnegie UK Trust and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust
The Law Society of Scotland
The Scotsman

For further information on the Festival, the media contact is:
Sally Coyne 0131 348 6265 RNID TypeTalk calls welcome Email: [email protected]

For further information on the SING project and Ms Lennox:
Please contact David F rossman Email [email protected] or telephone: 02073618000
www. annielennox.com / www.annielennoxsing.com

For public information enquiries, contact:
0131 348 5000; Textphone: 0131 558 7676, RNID Type talk calls welcome
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk