Wikipedia Hoaxer Apologises

The author of a Wikipedia entry that falsely implicated a prominent writer in both Kennedy assassinations and prompted a row about the online encyclopaedia's reliability has apologised to his victim, saying that it was a "joke that went horribly, horribly wrong".

In a hand-delivered letter to journalist John Seigenthaler Sr, Brian Chase, an employee of a Nashville delivery company, said he inserted the false online biography as a prank on a co-worker. His contribution had falsely accused Mr Seigenthaler of having been linked to the assassination of John as well as Robert Kennedy, and of having lived in the former Soviet Union for 13 years.

Mr Seigenthaler responded with a blistering piece in USA Today about Wikipedia's reliability, noting that he had been an administrative assistant to Robert Kennedy, and had served as one of his pall bearers. The article reignited a debate about standards at Wikipedia, and other online reference resources.

The Seigenthalers are well known in Tennessee, and the co-worker claimed to know the family. "I am truly sorry ... whatever fame comes to me from this will be ill-gotten indeed," said Mr Chase in the letter, who was astonished to learn that anyone could make a Wikipedia entry.

Mr Chase resigned from his job but Mr Seigenthaler, who has said he does not intend to pursue legal action against him, asked the firm to rehire him. There was no immediate move to do so.