大象传媒

James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to Tony Harrison about his controversial poem v. first published in 1985.

Harrison wrote the poem in 1985, after being angered by graffiti sprayed on his parents' grave by football fans in his home town of Leeds.

A filmed version of the poem, directed by Richard Eyre, caused controversy two years later when it was announced that it was to be broadcast on Channel 4.

The poem, which includes repeated strong language was denounced by tabloid newspapers as a "torrent of filth". A group of Conservative MPs signed an early day motion to have the programme pulled from the schedules.

Others defended the poet's right to use such language to draw attention to the wanton desecration of his family's grave. It was also seen against the backdrop of the Miners' strike and racial intolerance in British cities.

Recorded at the Hexham Book Festival.

July's Bookclub choice : The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell (2006)

Interviewed guest : Tony Harrison
Presenter : James Naughtie
Producer : Dymphna Flynn.