Left-wing comedian Mark Thomas has declined to comment over his reasons for pulling out of the forthcoming Essar Chester Literature Festival amid speculation he has a problem with the event being sponsored by an oil company.

Mark will no longer perform his one-man show Cuckcooed as part of the festival (October 10-26) “due to unforeseen circumstances”, according to the organiser’s website, but will instead appear at Chester Town Hall on Tuesday November 18.

His spokeswoman said: “It’s a no comment from Mark on this I’m afraid, sorry!”

Anti-fracker Matt Bryan, who has been involved in the protest camp at Upton, has commented on a private message posted on Facebook purported to be from Mark Thomas to a local environmentalist.

It reads: “Thank you for letting me know about the sponsorship and the festival. I simply had not known about it, my agent did not spot it either and frankly both of us should have seen this at the start. It would be hypocritical of me to perform at a festival sponsored by any oil company given my support of green politics and the track record of the oil industry.”

Matt said: “Whilst a real shame for the festival, Mark Thomas’ integrity should be applauded and the organisers should be asking themselves why they jumped into bed with the oil giant.

“People around the country and 88% of residents in Upton are sick to the back teeth of energy companies like this acting as they see fit at the expense of our pockets, environment and public health. Only today the oil tycoon Rockefeller family announced the re-direction of their investments to solely clean and renewable sources which is a move that will hopefully rattle the industry which has had an unhealthy grip on our lives for so long.”

Chester Performs chief executive Andrew Bentley said “Mark has indeed decided to move his event outside of the Essar Chester Literature Festival dates but we are of course deeply committed to our loyal customers who are keen to see his show. Happily we have been able to re-schedule the date for Tuesday November 18th, again at Chester Town Hall. Customers can call our box office on0845 241 7868 to arrange a ticket exchange or refund.”

He added: “The support from Essar Oil UK helps us produce a truly inspiring literature festival for Chester. They are a major local employer and one which continues to be very supportive of this, and of other local initiatives. We are very proud to have them on board as the headline sponsor.”

Essar spokesman Ian Cotton said: “We would not wish to make any comment.”