The Spectator’s columnist and associate editor Rod Liddle has died aged 66. Tributes have poured in as his many dedicated readers have expressed their condolences. Here are the reactions so far.

Editor of The Spectator, Michael Gove:

Rod Liddle was a journalist of genius. In the tradition of Swift, Cobbett and Orwell, he was a satirist who found society’s most sensitive spots and made merciless fun of our follies. He was always fearless, could be achingly funny and while he had an adamantine core of principle he could also surprise. Because he was original – he thought for himself and never wanted anyone’s approval – he was special and brave.

In person, Rod was kind and gentle. He was an indulgent boss and brilliantly creative editor at the BBC and an always steadfast and generous colleague. He had a deep love of England, of its culture and in particular the common sense of its working class. He was also a master of the written word. He was very much loved by those who knew him. And no words we can summon can capture our loss.

The Spectator’s publisher, Freddie Sayers:

Everyone at the Spectator is devastated by the news that our beloved columnist and friend Rod has died. We knew that he had been unwell for some time but had been hoping for a recovery and return to the writing which Spectator readers loved and looked forward to every week. His voice, of course, is irreplaceable: a combination of bravery, originality, fearlessness and laugh-out-loud wit that we will miss deeply in the weeks and years to come.

Former editor of The Spectator, Fraser Nelson:

Rod Liddle was the greatest satirist since Swift; loved by Spectator readers who he loved back in return. He used humour to get to the heart of subjects that other writers tried and failed to reach for. He once had a two-sentence blog – ‘I heard Owen Jones was on question time last night. Was he any good?’ – that broke records for traffic and reader comments. He enriched and enlivened the lives of hundreds of thousands of  readers. There was, and will never be, anyone like him.

Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch:

Just heartbreaking to hear the news about Rod Liddle.

I don’t have the words to express how sad this is. For journalism, for his readers and most of all his friends and family. Had missed his column and hearing his voice on the radio. Thought he was on a break.

Rest in peace, Rod. You will be very much missed.

Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage:

Extremely sad news that Rod Liddle is no longer with us. Rod was one of the most prolific columnists Westminster has ever seen. He will be missed.

BBC Radio 4 Today presenter, Justin Webb:

I knew Rod Liddle off and on since we were kids on the Today Programme in the early 80s. He was brilliant, he was kind. He was so so funny. He will be massively missed.

Former chairman of The Spectator, Andrew Neil:

Shocked to learn that Rod Liddle had died. Terrible news. Deepest condolences to family and friends.

Broadcaster, Piers Morgan:

RIP Rod Liddle, 66.

One of Britain’s most fearless, funny and fabulously entertaining journalists.

Loved reading his brilliantly original columns, and listening to his combative but always well-informed rants on the airwaves. A true voice of common sense, and great character.

Daily Mail columnist, Sarah Vine:

RIP Rod Liddle. One of the greats: outspoken, outrageous, fearless and always fun. He will be sadly missed. Although not by the newspaper lawyers, I suspect.

Former editor of The Spectator, Matthew d’Ancona:

One of the many privileges of editing The Spectator was working with Rod Liddle. He was funny, gregarious, formidably erudite, kindly, wilfully contrarian, inclined to random acts of generosity. At  events, he was one of the columnists that guests and readers most wanted to meet. He invariably made time for them and charmed them all. We stayed in touch. I’d text him when one of his pieces amused me or made me think – which was often. He was best known for his political views, but the truth is that he knew about everything from the King James Bible to the B-sides of obscure indie bands. There was an irony to his writing that was missed by many of his literalist detractors. He revelled in the absurdity of life, raged against it with Juvenalian wit, but always winked to the audience. The last text he sent me reads: “Thanks old mate. How you keeping?” Missing you, maestro, missing you. RIP

Restore Britain leader, Rupert Lowe:

It is awful news that Rod Liddle, a towering intellect and a friend, has died – my thoughts are with his loved ones.

Leader of the Social Democratic party, William Clouston:

Goodbye Rod ?

My dear friend, fellow long-marcher, trusted confidante – and the bravest and most talented of men xx

Daily Telegraph columnist, Allison Pearson:

Devastating news. A brilliant journalist and mighty warrior in the culture wars is gone.

Rod Liddle’s byline was a guarantee of hilarity allied to lethal skewering of the latest leftie idiocy. The people never had a better champion.

Daily Mail sketchwriter, Quentin Letts:

Bugger. I liked him.

Historian, Simon Sebag Montefiore:

What a shock. Adieu to an outrageous fearless outspoken original witty coruscating gonzo shotgun maverick journalist – just when we needed more of those.

Rod Liddle you will be missed.

Conservative MP and former national security minister, Tom Tugendhat:

I’ve just heard about Rod Liddle’s death. In recent years he became a friend and I shall miss him. He was kind funny and had a razor wit that could puncture egos and arrogance – including mine.

His calm voice and dry humour on TimesRadio on Saturdays and words in The Spectator were a privilege I shall miss

Independent MP, Rosie Duffield:

We just lost someone I would never in a million years have been expected to be friends with, or probably even to have made peace with…

A larger than life ‘Marmite’ character, controversial, sometimes infuriating, but terribly witty, sharp and fun.

And capable of extreme kindness, empathy and charm, especially in private. Gone far too soon. Desperately sad news