Prominent scientist and atheist Richard Dawkins does not believe that “fairy tales and believing in Father Christmas could cause children harm”, in contrast to the story printed in the Daily Mail.

The tabloid reported that Dawkins warned of the dangers of stories and myths such as Father Christmas on child development, and the story was picked up by both the BBC and the Telegraph.

However, Dawkins says that he was badly misquoted, and told that Guardian:

“What I actually think is that fairy tales can be wonderful. They are part of childhood, they are stretching the imagination of children.”

On Twitter, Dawkins commented on the way the media has reported his comments, and accepted an apology from a BBC Radio 4 producer over the issue.

I'm on BBC World Service today, around, 10.20 BST to talk about the virtues of fairy tales. Contrary to lies in Daily Mail and BBC #r4today — Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) June 5, 2014

It IS pernicious to inculcate supernaturalism into a child. But DO fairytales do that? It's an interesting Q. The answer is probably no. — Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) June 5, 2014

BBC Radio 4 Today producer just phoned me to apologise. Apology accepted. Now I'm off to snorkel near New Guinea. — Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) June 5, 2014

The author of the Selfish Gene also spoke to the Radio 4 Today programme to clear up the issue