Why Potter creator was denied top US honour

Former United States President George W Bush's advisers believed that JK Rowling's books 'encouraged witchcraft' and thus deprived the author from a top US honour, reveals a new book.

The book, titled Speechless: Tales of a White House Survivor-- written by Matt Latimer, an ex-speechwriter for Bush -- has revealed that the Scots-based Harry Potter author was nominated for a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

But White House officials raised an objection against the move, saying that she promoted sorcery in her boy wizard series, which has been made into smash-hit movies starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Thus they stopped Rowling from receiving the US' top gong for civilians who contribute to America, world peace or culture, reports The Sun.

Latimer said 'narrow thinking' led 'people in the White House to actually object to giving author JK Rowling a presidential medal because the Harry Potter books encourage witchcraft'.

He also disclosed other names who were denied the privilege under Bush, which included Senator Edward Kennedy -- because he was 'too liberal'.

The veteran politician finally received the award in August, only days before he died of cancer, aged 77.