This afternoon we learned that former Labor leader turned political commentator Mark Latham and former Junkee Political Editor Osman Faruqi have settled their high profile defamation suit, with Latham set to pay thousands of dollars in damages and costs.

Faruqi, the son of federal Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, sued Latham in 2017 over a video published on Latham’s Outsiders website, YouTube and Facebook page, that Faruqi claimed implied he was an anti-white racist who encouraged terrorists.

The case has been winding its way through the courts since then. In August, a judge threw out Latham’s 76-page defence, which covered topics including the martyrdom of Christians in the Roman Empire and the Lindt cafe siege. Justice Michael Wigney described Latham’s defence variously as “extraordinary”, “frivolous” and “vexatious”.

A few weeks later, Latham hired new lawyers. Today, lawyers for Faruqi confirmed that the case had been settled after Latham agreed to remove the posts, and pay damages and costs that are likely to amount to more than $100,000. The full total of the costs will be decided in court.

“This case has always been about reaffirming the principle that all Australians should be able to participate in public debate without being denigrated and accused of supporting heinous crimes like terrorism because of their background,” Faruqi said in a statement.

pic.twitter.com/gsQgm5F5wE

— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) November 26, 2018

Naturally, news that Latham might have to fork out a big chunk of money was met with some glee on social media.

The Funniest Reactions To Mark Latham Settling His Defamation Suit

Eat shit, Latham.

— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) November 26, 2018

Only a year of his pension for life one assumes? Taxpayers picking up the tab for Mark Latham’s bullshit as usual. It has always been thus. https://t.co/yyQx4FO1Zj

— 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕒 𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕟 (@samanthamaiden) November 26, 2018

Don’t worry I’m sure Mark Latham’s cookbook made well over $100,000

— Peter Taggart (@petertaggart) November 26, 2018

sad to hear that mark latham's decision to put himself in the stocks and scream 'throw tomatoes at me' has resulted in tomatoes being thrown at him

— Eleanor Robertson (@marrowing) November 26, 2018

devastated to hear that Mark Latham has been tied to a mule and driven out of town by a mob of hooting villagers

— Alex McKinnon (@mckinnon_a) November 26, 2018

Good on Latham for not only losing, but for really embarrassing himself on the way through

— Michael Roddan (@MichaelRoddan) November 26, 2018

if everyone who bought a Latham/Jones cookbook puts in $50,000 his costs are covered.

— Adam (@kels_316) November 26, 2018

well I think it's nice of Mark Latham to help a millennial journo get into the Sydney property market

— Ingrid M (@iMusing) November 26, 2018

let's all set aside our differences and bask in yet another terrible humiliation for Mark Latham pic.twitter.com/ahuOK7i008

— Chris Kennett (@chriskennett) November 26, 2018

Mark Latham hasn’t commented publicly on the settlement. We’ll be sure to update this post if he does.

For what it’s worth, back when he worked here, Osman promised that he’d buy everyone at Junkee a drink if/when the case ended. We’re waiting, Oz.

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Correction: Mark Latham has settled his defamation case with Osman Faruqi. An earlier version of this post stated Latham lost the case.