A petition demanding an apology for Sun columnist Rodd Liddle’s anti-disabled and homophobic comments towards a prospective MP reached over 7,000 signatures yesterday.

The campaign was started by a member of the public after the paper published a piece about transgender and visually impaired Labour candidate Emily Brothers.

Mr Liddle’s December 10 commentary ends with the line: “Thing is though … being blind how did she know she was the wrong sex?”

Change.org member Rowan Davis started the petition addressed to Sun editor David Dinsmore, which spread quickly on the internet.

“By reducing her down to her blindness and transness, Liddle has contributed to the dehumanisation and oppression of trans people and those with disabilities, and has helped uphold ableist and transphobic norms in politics,” wrote Mr Davis.

Ms Brothers was quick to reply, slamming Mr Liddle’s comments as “cheap” and “ridiculous.”

“But my concern is how other transgender people feel about these comments, particularly those who are going through the transitioning process and are fearful of other people’s reactions, and fearful of being ridiculed,” she added.

Mr Liddle was also under criticism from many of his peers.

Telegraph commentator Dan Hodges wrote on Twitter: “I don’t go much for anti-Sun moral outrage. But that thing by Rod Liddle is a disgrace. Can’t believe it was printed.”

The Sun’s head of PR Dylan Sharpe argued that the comments were “from Rod Liddle’s column, where he gives his opinion.”

“It is not the view of the Sun newspaper.”