Nicola Sturgeon boycotts event after it invites far-right strategist Steve Bannon

Nicola Sturgeon has pulled out of a media conference after learning that she would be sharing the stage with right wing blogger and former White House strategist Steve Bannon.

The First Minister withdrew from the News Xchange 2018, co-hosted by the BBC, in Edinburgh next month, but said she "would not be part of any process that risks legitimising or normalising far right, racist views".

Bannon was one of Donald Trump's most trusted aides until August 2017, when he quit amid claims of a power struggle in the White House.

He has since supported right-wing and racist voices in Europe and the UK, and has advised Boris Johnson on his bid for a right-wing Brexit.

Sturgeon explained her decision on twitter: "I believe passionately in free speech but as @ScotGovFM I have to make balanced judgments - and I will not be part of any process that risks legitimising or normalising far right, racist views. I regret that the BBC has put me and others in this position."

She added: "The email the BBC sent to my office justifying Bannon's inclusion described him as a 'powerful and influential figure ... promoting an anti-elite movement.' This kind of language to describe views that many would describe as fascist does seem to me to run the risk of normalisation."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Steve Bannon was invited on behalf of the EBU's News Xchange committee.

"Good journalism in a world of fake news and disinformation is more vital than ever. Journalism is about asking tough questions and understanding what is happening in the world and why.

"A conference designed to analyse the big issues impacting that world isn't an endorsement of anyone or anything - it is a function of what journalism is."