from the Guardian:
Liddle has been referred to the Attorney General for possible contempt of court.
Which means what?
That a) he might have risked prejudicing the trial of two men charged with the murder of Stephen Lawrence. And b) the Spectator could face a five-figure fine.
What does it say?
[Redacted] and [Redacted] [Redacted] [Redacted].
What a rookie error. Presumably he hasn't much journalistic experience?
Not much. Unless you count four years as editor of the Today programme. Or his associate editorship of the Spectator. Or his columns for the Sunday Times, GQ, Arena, and, erm, the Guardian. The Independent can count itself lucky.
Why?
In 2010, new owner Alexander Lebedev nearly appointed him editor.
Would that have been a bad thing?
Possibly. At the time, Liddle was accused of casual racism and sexism.
Explain.
It was alleged Liddle – writing under the sobriquet "Monkeymfc" on an online forum pertaining to, but not controlled by, Millwall FC – referred to black people as "on average a little under 10% thicker than whites"; and a black player as a "spearchucking African".
The lawyers would like to know his defence.
He strongly denied posting the comments, saying he had been hacked.
Presumably his character is otherwise unblemished? Come to think of it, no. In 2005, he accepted a caution for assaulting his pregnant second wife – though he later denied it ever happened.