Leading UK children’s authors to boycott school readings because of new criminal records check

UK children’s authors to boycott school readings

LONDON — Some of Britain’s leading children’s authors plan to boycott school readings when a new government rule requiring them to undergo criminal record checks takes effect in October.

The new rule is designed to protect children from sex predators. It requires anyone coming into regular contact with schoolchildren or vulnerable adults to be checked for criminal offenses at their own expense.

The boycott is led by “His Dark Materials” author Philip Pullman, former Children’s Laureates Anne Fine and Michael Morpurgo and others. They say the rule is insulting and unnecessary.

The criminal check will cost 64 pounds ($104).

The new procedure is part of the government’s response to the 2002 murder of two 10-year-olds by their school’s caretaker.