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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Why are some gender critical feminists praising Rod Liddle?

264 replies

Mouldemort · 03/08/2026 16:38

Can anyone give any insight into why gender critical stalwarts such as Kathleen Stock, Julie Bindel and Rosie Duffield are praising Rod Liddle? He was a wife-beating misogynist who argued that it shouldn't be a crime to look at images of child abuse.

It could be they are excusing his behaviour because he was personally nice to them, but honestly I am not sure.

https://x.com/Docstockk/status/2084268019270684830

Kathleen Stock (@Docstockk) on X

Gutted about Rod Liddle, he was a great man. I take huge pride in having been regular contributor to his show, and I appreciated his support for my writing very much. I know full well what the online sisterhood think about this but I don't care in the...

https://x.com/Docstockk/status/2084268019270684830

OP posts:
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WrongKindOfFeminist · 03/08/2026 16:41

Oh, did he die? <off to google>

icingonmycupcake · 03/08/2026 16:42

It's a mystery. Because he's absolutely vile.

RoyalCorgi · 03/08/2026 16:46

I imagine it's because they met him and found him a much nicer person in real life than he appeared in print.

WrongKindOfFeminist · 03/08/2026 16:48

While we're on the topic of misogyny, what does your username refer to, OP?

HotGrapefruit · 03/08/2026 16:49

It's just not the time to slag someone off, when the press contact you to ask for a tribute after their death.

It's just the dignified thing to do. cf Ann Widdecombe.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 03/08/2026 16:55

Maybe ask them op? I don’t think they are on Mumsnet so seems a strange thing to ask women here.

Original poster
Mouldemort · 03/08/2026 16:56

HotGrapefruit · 03/08/2026 16:49

It's just not the time to slag someone off, when the press contact you to ask for a tribute after their death.

It's just the dignified thing to do. cf Ann Widdecombe.

Edited

They haven't been asked to comment. They volunteered it.

OP posts:
Pleasedontdoitagain · 03/08/2026 16:57

HotGrapefruit · 03/08/2026 16:49

It's just not the time to slag someone off, when the press contact you to ask for a tribute after their death.

It's just the dignified thing to do. cf Ann Widdecombe.

Edited

Surely someone can refuse to comment in a situation like that?

Original poster
Mouldemort · 03/08/2026 16:57

RoyalCorgi · 03/08/2026 16:46

I imagine it's because they met him and found him a much nicer person in real life than he appeared in print.

I am sure there are plenty of wife-beating arseholes who are fun to drink with, but I wouldn't call them "great men."

OP posts:
WrongKindOfFeminist · 03/08/2026 17:02

Mouldemort · 03/08/2026 16:57

I am sure there are plenty of wife-beating arseholes who are fun to drink with, but I wouldn't call them "great men."

Show quote history

What does your username mean?

SirChenjins · 03/08/2026 17:03

How would anyone on here know? You need to ask them.

WallaceinAnderland · 03/08/2026 17:05

Never speak ill of the dead. Talk of dancing and pissing on people's graves is beyond the pale. At the end of the day, no one's opinion really matters, we'll all be gone when our time comes.

zanahoria · 03/08/2026 17:06

Mouldemort · 03/08/2026 16:57

I am sure there are plenty of wife-beating arseholes who are fun to drink with, but I wouldn't call them "great men."

Show quote history

He never seemed like he would be fun to drink with, sounded more like the pub bore

AnAutumnCrow · 03/08/2026 17:06

I’m surprised that MNHQ allow such nasty, misogynistic usernames.

civetcat · 03/08/2026 17:07

Marian Keyes' chose the book title 'This Charming Man' because women who had been in abusive relationships with men often described their former partners as charming

nicepotoftea · 03/08/2026 17:08

They aren't excusing his behaviour.

They are saying something nice about somebody they know who has died.

Human beings have complicated relationships with other people, particularly off line.

HotGrapefruit · 03/08/2026 17:13

Pleasedontdoitagain · 03/08/2026 16:57

Surely someone can refuse to comment in a situation like that?

Show quote history

He's dead at a young age. It's sad, even if he was a bastard. It's always shocking when your peer drops dead unexpectedly.

nicepotoftea · 03/08/2026 17:13

https://x.com/RosieDuffield1/status/2084302083302264915

"This place can be delighful, but also so bloody one dimensional and crass... No, I do not agree with everyone I know on every single thing; Yes, they may even have committed sins/crimes - we are massive hypocrites if we pretend it's our business to judge someone's every personal past mistake against others, especially those we know nothing of directly ourselves; No, you do not know better about the character/motivation/likeability or reality of someone you have never met because you've read about them online; Guilt by association is very rarely justifiable. It is not my job to like the same people as you, or come to the exact same conclusions about people simply because of the threat of potentially offending you by liking someone you've decided is a bad person."

Rosie Duffield MP (@RosieDuffield1) on X

This place can be delighful, but also so bloody one dimensional and crass... No, I do not agree with everyone I know on every single thing; Yes, they may even have committed sins/crimes - we are massive hypocrites if we pretend it's our business to ju...

https://x.com/RosieDuffield1/status/2084302083302264915

SodThisHeadache · 03/08/2026 17:17

I hadn't heard about wife beating.Please can you link?

Pleasedontdoitagain · 03/08/2026 17:18

HotGrapefruit · 03/08/2026 17:13

He's dead at a young age. It's sad, even if he was a bastard. It's always shocking when your peer drops dead unexpectedly.

Show quote history

In which case why not say something along those lines? That it's always sad when somebody dies unexpectedly. That's a reasonable comment without being drawn into saying anything about his worth as a human being.

MagicMarkers · 03/08/2026 17:21

He stood up for women's rights to keep men out of their sports/spaces.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/08/2026 17:23

He has loads of GC guests on his times radio show, Rosie, Kemi, Kathleen all appeared more than once. He was consistently strong and vocal on women’s rights in this context. Why wouldn’t they be sad at his death?

SoBoredOfSelfDoubtHowToGetOut · 03/08/2026 17:24

WallaceinAnderland · 03/08/2026 17:05

Never speak ill of the dead. Talk of dancing and pissing on people's graves is beyond the pale. At the end of the day, no one's opinion really matters, we'll all be gone when our time comes.

I mean it’s ok to be honest about people, dead or alive.

I really don’t agree with the don’t speak ill of the dead sentiment. It’s bollocks and bizarre, frankly.

What are your views on Jimmy Savile? Peter Sutcliffe? Or because they’re dead you don’t have a views?

Velvera · 03/08/2026 17:25

MagicMarkers · 03/08/2026 17:21

He stood up for women's rights to keep men out of their sports/spaces.

He didn't stand up for women's rights when he beat his wife though.