Ms Niven said she wanted the festival, which has a theme of “repair” this month, to focus on having “productive” and “nuanced” conversations rather than stage “polarised” debates.

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In an interview with The Herald , she said she stood by her decision to invite Nicola Sturgeon to promote her new memoir.

She insisted the sold-out event would be a “robust discussion” as the former First Minister will be interviewed by broadcaster Kirsty Wark.

Ms Niven, who is overseeing her second festi

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