The Government has called for the banning of a children's book written by a notorious former criminal, Mark 'Chopper' Read.
The book, Hooky the Cripple, tells the story of the hunchback son of a Sicilian prostitute who stabs a bullying butcher 21 times in the head.
The book, which is set in 16th century Italy, is being marketed by its publishers, as 'a dark and violent tale for our times'. The cover features a blood-stained dagger poised as if to stab someone.
Read, 47, a former underworld figure who has frequently boasted of maiming and killing other criminals, said Hooky the Cripple was no more violent than most fairy tales or Hollywood films.
'This is not the only fairy tale ever written that contains a little bit of violence,' he said. 'Darth Vader killed entire empires, he went through universes, executed entire nations and races. Everyone loves Darth Vader, and now they're upset because one poor hunchback kills a butcher.'
He said the book was a cautionary tale, showing that if someone is bullied and persecuted for long enough, they will retaliate.
'This book will get into all the schools, the kiddies will read it and they will love it,' he said.
