Lennox stars at politics festival

Annie Lennox will speak about Aids at the Holyrood event

Pop star Annie Lennox is to headline this year's Festival of Politics at the Scottish Parliament.

The former Eurythmics singer will discuss her involvement in Africa's fight against HIV/Aids on 20 August.

She will tell festival-goers about her Sing project, which uses music to educate people about issue and raise cash for the Treatment Action Campaign.

Lennox is also involved with Nelson Mandela's 46664 Foundation, which fights the impact of HIV/Aids.

The 53-year-old singer has also given her views on Scottish independence.

Speaking to the Scotsman newspaper, she said she could see "some benefits" to the move - but with conditions.

I hope as many people as possible will come to the parliament to see, hear and take part in our events Alex Fergusson Presiding officer

"I think Scotland could take a stand in a wonderful way, ecologically and morally and ethically," she said.

"Scotland could stand for something in the way that Norway has done historically."

Now in its fourth year, this year's Festival of Politics will also see former political heavyweights Denis Healey and Douglas Hurd discussing their careers.

Elsewhere, actor Simon Callow will share his personal experiences of Britain's changing attitudes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Arun Gandhi, Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan-Maguire and political activist and comedian Mark Thomas will also take part in the festival, which runs from 20 to 23 August.

Holyrood's presiding officer, Alex Fergusson, said the festival was now a "firm favourite" in Edinburgh's festival season.

He said: "I hope as many people as possible will come to the parliament to see, hear and take part in our events."