On February 1, 1998, a British Tabloid newspaper (The Sunday Mirror) reported that Clarke, then a recent candidate for knighthood, was a pedophile and was living in Sri Lanka in order to facilitate that lifestyle. The Mirror article quoted a supposed interview with Clarke: "Once they have reached the age of puberty, it is OK... It doesn't do any harm." and "I am trying to think of the youngest boy I have ever had because, of course, you can't tell it here. I think most of the damage comes from the fuss made by hysterical parents afterwards. If the kids don't mind, fair enough.". The newspaper account also claimed that Clarke had links to well-known paedophile rings operating in Britain and Europe

Science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke has been cleared of allegations of child abuse. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/s/w_asia/74938.stm

But Mr Nizam stressed that the inquiry is not yet over. Sri Lankan police did not interview any journalists from the Sunday Mirror, which claims it has an audio tape on which Sir Arthur admits to having had sex with boys.

The Mirror article quoted a supposed interview with Clarke
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On February 3, 1998, Clarke issued a statement denying the charges and asked for a postponement of his knighthood ceremony. He said that having always had a particular dislike of paedophiles, few charges could be more revolting to him than to be classed as one. Clarke said that he had not been sexually active in 20 years, and that the reports were "nonsense, contemptuous and revolting". He also declined to speak with the media "on legal advice".

quoted a supposed interview