If the Independent online edited it's comments page there would be an outcry.Sometimes this site needs to hide or not even publish some ,writings,The definition of independent is not the definition of free uncensored news.The nature of this site leaves it open to abuse by anyone with a will to post anything they want.That can be something that under some country's laws can get this site into trouble.For this site to continue to host something that is defamitory or libelous is something this site has to remove.Though it is not something the publishers of the site write it is possible in law to charge this site for continual hosting of any said article.But in law any comments to any article are not the resposibilty of the site or publishers,nor any hosting company.By definition comments are individuals acting in free speech.This site must allow all comment,regardless of language,to be freely expressed.And all comment should remain without removal ,ad infinitum.