Salman Rushdie has called for the arts to be defended from “interference by the government” amid criticism over the decision to move the English National Opera away from London.

Speaking at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards on Sunday, the Midnight’s Children author said he supported comments made by Melvyn Bragg suggesting the ENO intervention was evidence of increasing government influence over Arts Council decisions.

After receiving an Outstanding Achievement award, Rushdie said: “I must say I want to offer my complete support to everything that has been said here today about defending the arts against government interference. As Melvyn said, it’s a good fight.”

Bragg, who hosted the awards, had earlier supported comments by Richard Jones, ENO director, criticising the government’s request to move the body in exchange for more funding.

The ENO won the award for best opera for its version of Rhinegold.

Bragg said that arts funding had always been operated under the “arm’s length principle” without government intervention, but suggested the ENO decision had gone against this. He called on arts professionals to resist such changes and “fight against it — and win”.

The Daily Telegraph, London