It'd be hard to find a clearer case of spinelessness than the Royal Society of Literature and its current president Bernadine Evaristo, currently at the centre of a dispute:
The main disagreement stemmed from the RSL not making public stands in support of Salman Rushdie, after a knife attack in 2022, and Kate Clanchy, who was dropped by her publisher after she was accused of using racial stereotypes in her work. “It cannot take sides in writers’ controversies and issues,” wrote Evaristo, saying the organisation “must remain impartial”.
It must remain impartial between an author and someone who tries to kill the author? Apparently so.
Dame Marina Warner, Evaristo’s predecessor as president, said she had been told by the society’s management that to support Rushdie could cause “offence”.
Causing offence to supporters of an Islamist would-be killer?
Just wondering if the Royal Society of Literature is “impartial” about attempted murder, @BernardineEvari ? (Asking for a friend.) https://t.co/4ZIMDELb1i
— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) February 8, 2024
Mick Hartley 
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