Scottish authors criticise cancellation of Glasgow literary festival Aye Write

The cancellation of Aye Write comes as many cultural festivals face financial pressures … George Square in Glasgow. Photograph: Robert Perry/PA

Val McDermid, Douglas Stuart and Andrew O’Hagan are among the Scottish authors criticising the cancellation of Glasgow literary festival Aye Write after its funding application was turned down by Creative Scotland.

McDermid said it was “profoundly depressing” that Glasgow “cannot sustain a book festival”, while Stuart called it “unacceptable”. O’Hagan said that the cancellation is “savage and it shouldn’t be happening”.