I've had a response from Tom Happold, the deputy editor of the Guardian's new "Comment is free!" site:

Hi Stephen,

The Guardian is not happy to allow its new Comment is free site to be "used as a free for all for all the world's racists, bigots and assorted Jew-haters", we are however keen to give our readers an opportunity to disagree with, and debate, our regular commentators and columnists.

We go to great lengths to moderate our comments according to a policy that prohibits all racist, sexist and homophobic remarks. We also encourage our readers to report anything offensive and unsuitable. The comments you quote has therefore been taken down, and its author banned from the site - we require registration before people can post on Comment is free.

As an admirer of you and your blog, I find it disappointing that you seem to suggest that our coverage and content somehow encourages anti-semites to post comments on our site. Hundreds of thousands of people have already visited Comment is free in the three days it has been online, and the vast majority of comments have been passionate and decent.

Best wishes,
Tom Happold
Deputy editor, Comment is free

I think that's a very fair reponse. Naturally, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating as to whether other such comments are posted, but they can't do more than take down such offensive remarks when it's pointed out that they've made a mistake.

If only the print paper had a similar policy on its pages...