Bernardine Evaristo defends Royal Society of Literature over ‘false accusations’

Society’s president says claims of ageism, censorship and lowering standards are unfounded

• Comment: ‘I will defend the Royal Society of Literature against all attacks. It is more alive than ever’

Bernardine Evaristo, the president of the Royal Society of Literature, has launched a staunch defence of the organisation, which she says has been subjected to “false accusations” of ageism, censorship and lowering standards.

In an article for the Guardian, Evaristo, who won the Booker prize in 2019, wrote that “accusations of censorship and cancellation” at the 200-year old institution were unfounded, after a spate of articles suggesting that there was a “major revolt” by established members that was threatening to destabilise the organisation.