Photograph: Antonio Olmos
We were gladdened by the news that Alice Oswald has made the decision to withdraw her book, Memorial, from the shortlist for the TS Eliot prize saying, ‘I’m uncomfortable about the fact that Aurum Funds, an investment company which exclusively manages funds of hedge funds, is sponsoring the administration of the Eliot Prize; I think poetry should be questioning not endorsing such institutions and for that reason I’m withdrawing from the Eliot shortlist.’ We wholeheartedly agree and respect Alice enormously for taking a stand. News has just reached us that John Kinsella, shortlisted for his collection, Amour, has followed suit.