The Department of Culture, Media and Sport dismissed Mr Howells's comments as "throwaway remarks", but did not say whether a formal apology would be made.

"Mr Howells is a music fan and he did not mean to cause any offence," a spokeswoman said.

The point was the question he was replying to was a good one and at the heart of the whole issue. I don't really want him to apoligise but he should answer and fully address the question.

Two 'mega stars' in a pub do not need a licence, but 3 Somerset folk singers are prevented from singing without one. Fearing that we may be "straying into very dangerous territory" is not answer enough.