Fox host's writer quits after racist and sexist online comments revealed

One of Fox host Tucker Carlson’s top writers has resigned after a CNN investigation found he was posting racist and sexist comments online under a pseudonym.

Under the name “CharlesXII”, Blake Neff regularly posted offensive language on an online forum called AutoAdmit.

In June, for example, Neff wrote, “Black doods staying inside playing Call of Duty is probably one of the biggest factors keeping crime down.” Neff also harassed a woman on the forum, posting information about her personal life and encouraging other users to post private information about her.

Carlson has called Neff a “wonderful writer” and in an interview with Dartmouth’s alumni magazine, Neff said: “Anything [Carlson is] reading off the teleprompter, the first draft was written by me.”

Carlson has not commented directly on Neff’s resignation but on Friday night’s show, he appeared to reference the story when he attacked “cancel culture”.

“We are in a situation where it’s really individuals against the mob. Online, other news organizations – CNN particularly,” said Carlson. He added: “How can people stand up to the mob and prevail?”

Others pointed out more examples of controversial journalism from Neff under his own name.

Others posted comments.

Related: Tucker Carlson calls Purple Heart recipient Tammy Duckworth a 'coward'

Carlson, one of Donald Trump’s favourite Fox News personalities, recently repeatedly targeted the Democratic senator and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, calling her a “coward” on Tuesday’s show after she called for a national discussion on the issue of removing US monuments and statues of historical figures who were leaders of the Confederacy or other hateful or dubious legacies.

Duckworth, a former navy helicopter pilot, lost her legs after her aircraft was hit by enemy fire in Iraq.