Pete under fire for sex story

Pete Townshend came under fire last night for writing an erotic short story about two 16-year-olds and publishing it on the Internet.

The 61-year-old guitarist with The Who was warned his actions were inappropriate and ill-advised in view of the fact that he is on the sex offenders' register after being cautioned for child pornography offences three years ago.

Townshend has now removed the story, telling readers that it has 'upset certain people'.

Called The Comedian, it contains a description of a sex act between a boy and a girl, both 16. Most of it is too graphic to be reprinted, but one section reads: 'She had splendid breasts for such an elfin girl: loose, low and lush; she was a luxurious creature.'

His decision to publish such material raises serious questions about his judgment and was criticised by children's charities and politicians last night.

Townshend's name was one of 7,000 passed to Scotland Yard by the FBI as part of Operation Ore - an investigation into child pornography sites on the Internet - in January 2003. He was arrested and questioned.

He issued a vehement denial that he was a paedophile, claiming he only accessed a site as research for an anti-child pornography campaign and for his autobiography.

He was not charged, but accepted a police caution and was placed on the register for five years. He later told how the allegations almost drove him to commit suicide.

Shadow Children's Minister Tim Loughton said last night: 'Given his recent brushes with the law over serious paedophile allegations, I would have thought that he would have shown more sense, especially as he is old enough to be a grandfather. Perhaps he should stick to his music.'

Michele Elliot, director of Kidscape, said: 'Responsible adults should not put graphic details of teenagers having sex on the web. It's just a form of titillation.'

And Tink Palmer, of the children's charity Stop It Now!, which raises awareness of child sexual abuse, said: 'Bearing in mind the fact that he is on the Sex Offenders' Register and received a caution, it is most ill-advised, especially considering the popularity of his music and the fact that lots of people look up to him.'

The story featured on a 'bloggers' website, in which contributors share 'weblogs'. Townshend's page could be accessed directly from his official website.