Nothing wrong with a novel being readable, says Man Booker first timer

One of the favourites to win the £50,000 Man Booker prize today hit back at "elitist" critics of the competition.

Stephen Kelman, whose first novel Pigeon English was inspired by the death of Damilola Taylor, said: "Literary merit and readability should not be mutually exclusive. Any writer worth his salt should aspire to produce a work that is good literature and readable."

His comments follow criticism that the Man Booker was becoming more concerned with sales and popularity than with true literary merit. Concern was voiced at the omission of heavyweights such as Alan Hollinghurst and Philip Hensher and comments from jury member Chris Mullin that novels should "zip along".

Chairman Stella Rimington attacked "so-called literary critics" for being so insular that they "can't stand their domain being intruded upon" as she defended her panel's selections.

Kelman, who was brought up on a Luton council estate, said he was looking forward to tonight's awards ceremony, adding: "I'm getting nervous, but I'm going to enjoy the occasion because I'm assuming that it's the only time I'll be attending."

The other shortlisted books are, The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch, Snowdrops by AD Miller, Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan and The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt.

Organisers are considering whether to allow online seller Amazon to submit next year despite concern that it controls too much of the industry.