The Independent’s prize-winning columnist Johann Hari, who has been facing charges of plagiarism from bloggers, has admitted to using quotes into interviews dusted by him from the writings of the subject available before the interview.

Hari explained his practice in a blog post titled, “Interview Etiquette” on Monday. He explained that persons he interview commonly express ideas they have written before and thus he used original text only to increase clarity.

“So occasionally, at the point in the interview where the subject has expressed an idea, I’ve quoted the idea as they expressed it in writing, rather than how they expressed it in speech,” he wrote. “I stress: I have only ever done this where the interviewee was making the same or very similar point to me in the interview that they had already made more clearly in print.”

He said that none of the persons he has interviewed have claimed they were misquoted. He also claimed that practice is usual among the members of the British press. “My test for journalism is always – would the readers mind you did this, or prefer it?” he said.

Even though he described it as a ‘normal practice’, some are accusing him of 'plagiarism' or quote listing. Several twitter users reacted critically to his admission and #interviewsbyhari was ranked third in the trending categories on Twitter worldwide by Tuesday after noon.

Guardian columnist George Monbiot and Caitlin Moran from the Times sided with the journalist saying he generally writes well and thoughtful. Hari remained silent until a comment piece published in Wednesday's ‘Independent and the I’. In the column he denied his practice is plagiarism or churnalism but an error. He said he is thankful those who pointed out his error in judgment and would not do it again.