The organisers of the annual Milkshake Festival in Amsterdam’s Westerpark have scrapped American rapper Azealia Banks from the line-up because of transphobic comments she is said to have made in the past.

The capital’s LGBTQI+ community had criticised the decision to invite Banks to the festival, which is considered one of the highlights of the city’s queer community calendar.

“It is clear to us that we made a mistake and that we have overlooked essential information,” the organisers said on social media. “The safety of our visitors, our team, the artists, and crew will always be our main priority.’

The organisers said they understood that the decision will also affect a lot of Milkshake visitors who were looking forward to the show.

“We understand that, and we want to assure you we have taken as many viewpoints as possible into account,” they said. “We care deeply about our audience and that we will remain committed to our mission of spreading love and unity.”

Banks, who is openly bisexual, had called earlier for healthcare for transgender people to be “cancelled”. She is also an outspoken supporter of US president Donald Trump.

On social media Banks said she did not even realise she had been booked to perform until she read about it on her own website.

Told by a fan how disappointed they were, she commented: “Damn I’m sorry babe I dunno what to do. I’ll still come to Amsterdam that evening – I’ll see about performing a venue that night.”