Rod Liddle, provocative columnist, dies at 66

Rod Liddle, the provocative British journalist known for his invective-laden columns targeting the liberal-left, has died aged 66 after a short illness. His work for the Sunday Times, the Spectator, and the Sun, along with his Times Radio shows, earned him a devoted following on the political right. Liddle's writing was marked by a satirical edge and boisterous humour, often aimed at bureaucrats, politicians, and campaigners for gay and trans rights. He was the first journalist censured by the Press Complaints Commission for a blog in 2010. He also edited the BBC's Today programme from 1998, during which the corporation clashed with the Blair government over Iraq weapons claims. Born in Kent and raised in Middlesbrough, Liddle began his career at the South Wales Echo before joining the BBC. He left the corporation in 2003 to write full-time, publishing books including "Selfish Whining Monkeys" and "The Great Betrayal." He is survived by his wife Alicia and three children.