Pogues debate rages

Radio 1 reverse decision

18 Dec 07 - Radio 1's controller Andy Parfitt has released a statement this afternoon reversing the network's decision to censor the classic Pogues and Kirsty McColl Christmas hit Fairytale of New York.

The station is currently playing a radio edit of the song, that takes out the words "faggot" and "slut," after an original decision that they are words that their audience would find offensive.

However, Parfitt has now said that from now on the station would play the full unedited version: "While we would never condone prejudice of any kind, we know our audiences are smart enough to distinguish between maliciousness and creative freedom."

The Pogues had issued a statement in response to the original censoring saying the decision was "amusing," and Kirsty McColl's mum Jean said the decision was "ridiculous" as the song is about two fictional characters:

"They are what they are, this is the way they spoke and, y'know, today we have a lot of gratuitous vulgarity and f-ing and whatever which I think is quite unneccessary, but these are characters and they speak like that."

But gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell doesn't agree:

"The word faggot is being sung as an insult, alongside scumbag and maggot. In this abusive context it is unacceptable.

"I challenge anyone who defends the use of the word faggot in these lyrics to state publicly that they would also defend the right of singers to use word n*gger as a term of abuse in a song. They won't and that makes them cowardly homophobic hypocrites."

"I do not feel that there is any negative intent behind the use of the words, hence the reversal of the decision." - Andy Parfitt

In response to Parfitt's reversal Peter Tatchell says he is appalled: "I am certain that if this song used the n word, or paki or yid, the BBC would delete them and would certainly not back track under pressure from people who have hypocritical double standards, they don't tolerate racist langauge but they seem to be prepared to tolerate homophobic language."

The song was released 20 years ago, when very different things were considered offensive. For an appearance on Top of The Pops in 1987 different words were censored, with Kirsty asked to replace "arse" with "ass."

6 Music presenter and gay rights campaigner, Tom Robinson, thinks it was strange to censor a song that has been around for so long:

"I suppose I'm really pleased that they're concerned about homophobia or potential offence, but it does seem they're gone a little too far this time. Because the song has been around for, what is it, twenty years now? And we've been listening to it, and singing along with it, and no one's really been upset."

The track is back in the Top 10 this week, although some think the controversy could help make it a Christmas No 1 contender.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood's track Relax spent 5 weeks at No 1 after it was banned by Radio 1 back in the 80s, and frontman, Holly Johnson says, for that reason, he thinks the original decision, and the ensuing publicity, is great:

"Yes I'm very happy that this great work of art, which is how I see this particular record is getting even more publicity because of an absurd decision by the BBC to highlight it in this way."

He says in the context of the song he doesn't find the word faggot offensive:

"I've always seen this song as a domestic between two individuals of not particularly high or enlightened social status, a bit like a drama that you might see: a play. The person who's being called a faggot is obviously not a homosexual, as these two people are in a relationship."

The Pogues are currently on their annual Christmas tour, playing tonight at London's Brixton Academy.

Lucy O'Doherty