Letter: Amis's absence

Sir: The Diary (9 September) reports that the 'rough iconoclasts' of this year's Booker Prize panel have once again overlooked Martin Amis. As one of the 1992 judges, I feel I have to explain our criteria. Martin Amis has not published a novel this year and was therefore not eligible. I suppose he will just have to take the rough with the iconoclastic.

Yours faithfully,

MARK LAWSON

London, SW18

9 September