Julie Burchill article withdrawn

Julie Burchill’s vicious article, the one I was complaining about a couple of days ago, has been withdrawn by the editors. It no longer appears at Comment is Free, and nor do the many comments on it, most of them critical of Burchill.

I imagine that there might be different reactions to this from my readers. If so, please debate it, but try to be courteous to each other.

I’m in two minds, myself. I suppose this could be seen as some kind of victory for the forces of reason and kindness over a very nasty article (and an author who has previous form in this respect). If Burchill had withdrawn it on her own initiative, preferably with some kind of apology or indication that she was repudiating it, I’d probably be content with the outcome. As far as I know, however, it didn’t happen that way and she is unrepentant. Under the circumstances, I’d prefer that the article be left there, in its original place, if only so what happened can be documented in future stoushes involving Burchill. Fortunately, it has been quoted widely, but it would be better if we could all see the whole thing, and see it easily, so that it’s possible to demonstrate just how hateful it was, even when all of those repugnant comments are viewed in context.

But you may disagree. I’m open to argument on this.