Rod Liddle criticised for describing death of Nelson Mandela as ‘famous nice black man dies’
The Spectator columnist made the comments in an attack on the BBC’s extensive coverage of Mr Mandela’s death
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Spectator’s associate editor Rod Liddle has been criticised for describing the passing of Nelson Mandela as “famous nice black man dies,” just hours after his death.
Mr Liddle was labelled “arrogant” and “odious” on Twitter after attacking the BBC’s extensive coverage of Mr Mandela’s passing.
He wrote on his Spectator blog: “For Christ’s sake BBC, give it a bloody break for five minutes, will you?
“It’s as if the poor bugger now has to bear your entire self-flagellating white post-colonial bien pensant guilt; look! Famous nice black man dies! Let’s re-run the entire history of South Africa.
“That’s better than watching the country we’re in being flattened by a storm.”
The former editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme added : “ Look; I’m sorry Nelson Mandela is dead. It happens quite often to people in their 90s who have been very ill, even famous people, but I’m sure that doesn’t lessen the sadness for many of us.
“I never met the man but, on balance, I came to the conclusion that he was a force for good rather than ill.
“I think I came to that rather banal and broad brush conclusion twenty years ago, or maybe fifteen. So, I’m sorry he’s dead, I wish it were otherwise.”
Reacting to the comments, Richard Garside, director of The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies called Mr Liddle an “attention seeking wind up merchant,” in a decision tree now circulating on the social network.
Mr Liddle is no stranger to controversy, regularly whipping up a storm on Twitter through his commentary.
Discussing the columnist in an interview with the Guardian, The Spectator’s editor Fraser Nelson said the normal reaction towards Mr Liddle from the magazine’s readers is “don't tone down Rod”.
“Twitter has got a habit of vastly amplifying the concerns of whose who have spent their lives being wound up,” he added.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments