Irvine Welsh: Edinburgh born author apologised for swearing on Sky News

Irvine Welsh has apologised after turning the air blue on morning television while promoting a documentary on causing offence.

The Trainspotting author was discussing his new film Offended on Sky News when he labelled a breed of politicians "racist a*******s".

Presenter Kay Burley said the word was not suitable pre-watershed and warned Welsh he was going to get her in trouble.

the Edinburgh born author tweeted an apology for swearing on Sky News.

During the live interview, Welsh was asked what the idea was behind making the documentary which examines attitudes towards offence.

He said: "The idea behind it was to reclaim the artistic right to offend.

"The problem is situationist politicians, the kind of DORA crowd, the dumb, overprivileged, racist a*******s.

"We've been listening to them and they have taken on this offensiveness as a schtick and it's very difficult for art to offend anymore."

Burley replied: "That word that you used earlier on, I'm not sure you can use that word either at this time in the morning.

"You're going to get me in so much trouble Irvine. Maybe we should have done this interview after the watershed.

"You'll have to forgive me, just to put that rider in so nobody gets too upset with us. Anybody offended by that I'm very sorry."

The Sky News host said she had struggled to find any footage of the Sky Arts documentary which was suitable to show.

Edinburgh-born Welsh later took to Twitter to apologise for using the bad language on the show.

He said: "Thank you @SkyNews for letting me talk about the Offended documentary on @SkyArts tonight. I'm sorry about the 'a******e' comment but other than that I tried to be on my best behaviour."

Additional reporting by PA

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