As the author of the article at the root of this discussion, can I just say that what I really wanted to do was get the the bottom of a story that has been rumbling around by word of mouth for years. I have equal respect for the Cambridge festival director (Eddie Barcan) and Vin. Eddie and I first met as fellow judges at BBC Young Folk Awards finals - the Tim Van Eyken year – I have known Vin since I used to book him (for about £3 plus beer money and travel exes from memory) for Bishop Auckland folk club donkeys years ago.
And without ever dreaming of denying Emma B her right to walk out on a song she dislikes, I believe passionately in the freedom of others to write, sing and speak as they wish - the only line I draw, Richard Bridge, appears when someone's words can be judged to be incitement to murder, racial hatred etc (in other words, a criminal offence in any case). Believing in, or not believing in, abortion doesn't come within a million miles of that line. But that's just my opinion.....