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School safety 'insult' to authors School safety 'insult' to Pullman
(10 minutes later)
Several high-profile children's authors are to stop visiting schools in protest at new laws requiring them to be vetted to work with youngsters. Several high-profile authors are to stop visiting schools in protest at new laws requiring them to be vetted to work with youngsters.
Philip Pullman, author of fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials, said the idea was "ludicrous and insulting".
Former children's laureates Anne Fine and Michael Morpugo, and illustrator Quentin Blake, have hit out at the scheme which costs £64 per person.Former children's laureates Anne Fine and Michael Morpugo, and illustrator Quentin Blake, have hit out at the scheme which costs £64 per person.
Anthony Horowitz, author of the popular Alex Rider books, told the Independent it was "incredibly insulting".
The Home Office says the change from October will help protect children.The Home Office says the change from October will help protect children.
The measure was drafted in response to recommendations made by the inquiry into the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, at the hands of school caretaker Ian Huntley.The measure was drafted in response to recommendations made by the inquiry into the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, at the hands of school caretaker Ian Huntley.
Anyone who has "more than a tiny amount" of contact with children or vulnerable adults will have to sign up to the Vetting and Barring Scheme before November 2010.Anyone who has "more than a tiny amount" of contact with children or vulnerable adults will have to sign up to the Vetting and Barring Scheme before November 2010.
The UK already has one of the most advanced systems in the world for carrying out checks on all those who work in positions of trust with children and vulnerable adults Home Office spokesmanThe UK already has one of the most advanced systems in the world for carrying out checks on all those who work in positions of trust with children and vulnerable adults Home Office spokesman
But the authors, including fantasy writer Philip Pullman, say they have worked in schools for years without ever being left alone with children. But the authors, including fantasy writer Mr Pullman, say they have worked in schools for years without ever being left alone with children.
Describing the scheme as "objectionable", Mr Horowitz wrote in a comment article for the Independent: "In essence, I'm being asked to pay £64 to prove that I am not a paedophile. He told the Independent: "Children have never been in any danger from visiting authors or illustrators, and the idea that they should be is preposterous."
Describing the scheme as "objectionable", Mr Horowitz wrote in a comment article for the paper: "In essence, I'm being asked to pay £64 to prove that I am not a paedophile.
"After 30 years writing books, visiting schools, hospitals, prisons, spreading an enthusiasm for culture and literacy, I find this incredibly insulting.""After 30 years writing books, visiting schools, hospitals, prisons, spreading an enthusiasm for culture and literacy, I find this incredibly insulting."
He added that the database "poisons the special relationship that exists between children and authors they admire".He added that the database "poisons the special relationship that exists between children and authors they admire".
Only authors who plan to go into schools regularly - once a month or more - will have to be registered.Only authors who plan to go into schools regularly - once a month or more - will have to be registered.
'Deeply offensive''Deeply offensive'
Anyone who is barred will go on a separate register and could face up to five years in prison if they try to get work in a job covered by the regulations.Anyone who is barred will go on a separate register and could face up to five years in prison if they try to get work in a job covered by the regulations.
Anne Fine, author of more than 50 books including the Killer Cat series, told the Independent the rules would leave children "further impoverished" and that she would only visit foreign schools in future.Anne Fine, author of more than 50 books including the Killer Cat series, told the Independent the rules would leave children "further impoverished" and that she would only visit foreign schools in future.
"The whole idea of vetting any adult who visits many schools, but each only for a day, and then always in the presence of other adults, is deeply offensive," she added."The whole idea of vetting any adult who visits many schools, but each only for a day, and then always in the presence of other adults, is deeply offensive," she added.
However, a Home Office spokesman said: "The UK already has one of the most advanced systems in the world for carrying out checks on all those who work in positions of trust with children and vulnerable adults.However, a Home Office spokesman said: "The UK already has one of the most advanced systems in the world for carrying out checks on all those who work in positions of trust with children and vulnerable adults.
"From October this year the new Vetting and Barring Scheme will ensure these regulations are even more rigorous.""From October this year the new Vetting and Barring Scheme will ensure these regulations are even more rigorous."
The Home Office says various new regulations will have meant that more than five million more jobs and voluntary posts - including most NHS positions - will be subject to checks.The Home Office says various new regulations will have meant that more than five million more jobs and voluntary posts - including most NHS positions - will be subject to checks.