With respect, Derek, I'm not "rubbishing" the Folk Awards. I disapprove of them and of awards of that nature, for what I think are good reasons. I've never said anywhere that I think the awards are the most important, or the only aspect of folk music. On the contrary, that's the last thing I think.

Much as I love many sides of music - folk and many other genres - I reserve the right to have a critical opinion of parts of it and voice that opinion in a fair manner. After all, I've spent a large proportion of my life performing music. I'm not a believer in total uncritical, unthinking admiration, and I don't expect that of my own music.

You might as well say that, because I might (for example) be not moved by the paintings of Marc Chagall, I have no right to discuss his work in a critical manner. Which is nonsense. Art generates debate, otherwise it would be utterly boring.