An emotional Boris Johnson, 62, has been slammed after a death tribute.
Members of the public have criticised the former Prime Minister and ex-Henley MP - who lives just outside of Wallingford with his family - after he reacted to the death of Rod Liddle.
Mr Liddle died on Sunday, August 2, after a short illness and having spent his career in journalism.
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As well as being editor of BBC Radio 4's Today between 1998 and 2002, he was also an author, broadcaster and columnist, with many of his pieces stoking controversy.
In addition, he was associate editor for political magazine The Spectator which Mr Johnson was editor of between 1999 and 2005.
Following Mr Liddle's death, the Conservative politician said he was "heartsick" in a statement on social media.
He said: "Heartsick at the death of Rod Liddle - an outrageously funny and gifted writer with a beautiful conversational style.
"He had a unique talent for finding the thing that was obviously true but supposedly unsayable and then saying it with such panache as to give the maximum possible offence - and to all the right people.
"Spectator readers absolutely loved him."
Following this, some users online criticised the emotional statement, sharing articles that Mr Liddle had published including about being attracted to teenagers and questioning whether watching child pornography should be illegal.
Mr Liddle said his articles were often ironic, humorous and intended to stoke debate rather than being taken at face value.
Replying to Mr Johnson on social media Jon Wiltshire said: "I felt the same when Rolf Harris died."
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"Honestly, you really couldn’t sink any lower," said David Hicks.
Gary McEvoy said: "Of course you and Spectator readers loved him, he was a disgusting man with warped, depraved views on life."
While there was criticism, others were more complementary and sympathised with Mr Johnson's tribute.
"His Saturday morning show on Times Radio was the highlight of my week," said one user.
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