In Depth:  Tony Watkins

When I interviewed Philip Pullman, I found him genial, generous and engaging. He has a sharp mind, a clever wit, and he’s a brilliant writer. He has justifiably been acclaimed as one of Britain’s finest writers.

Some years back, The Independent declared that Pullman is ‘capable of lighting up the dullest day or greyest spirit with the incandescence of his imagination’. He’s also capable of making Christians incandescent with indignation. His strongly atheist comments have raised many people’s hackles.