A Sydney tabloid has been widely criticised for poking fun at a source’s name, which some have interpreted as an error.

In a column published on Monday, conservative commentator Tim Blair mocks former youth worker Furkan Derya.

After quoting Mr Derya on the serious issue of young recruits to terrorism, the author writes: “I furkan derya to find a better name than Furkan Derya”.

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The comment was printed in The Daily Telegraph‘s Monday edition and, as of 11am, remained on the newspaper’s website.

Social media users were quick to spot the derisory remark, with some speculating it was accidentally — or deliberately — left in the story by editors.

“When sub editors aren’t paying attention, or perhaps they were?” BBC reporter Phil Mackie tweeted, along with a photo of the mistake.

Elle Hardy, a writer for The Monthly, tweeted: “Given the online text hasn’t been altered, I furkan derya to say it wasn’t deliberate”.

Pulse Radio CEO Wade Cawood said someone at The Daily Telegraph was “about to have a really bad day”.

This gets better. Apparently the Furkan Derya reference was deliberate. It was always part of the column. — Miguel D’Souza (@MiguelDSouza) March 15, 2015

Oh @dailytelegraph, never change. I’d never “furkan derya” to become something you’re not.

— Pete Nowakowski (@petenowakowski) March 16, 2015

You’re all saying “Furkan Derya” in an Australian accent now, aren’t you?

— Callum May (@callummay) March 15, 2015

I Furkan Derya “@callummay: Don’t write stuff in copy you don’t want printed. Massive howler Aust pic.twitter.com/2MXk5dlhoM”

— Angie (@InfinityTimesMe) March 16, 2015

It’s not a publishing error RT @workmanalice “I furkan derya”? Compliment or insult by @dailytelegraph. pic.twitter.com/RDvNAnNdtK

— Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) March 15, 2015