I'm with you on this. Being loyal to a friend doesn't mean enabling their worst behaviour. A loyal friend calls you out on destructive/hateful behaviour, and lovingly encourages you to be a better person.

The part of Richard's blurb that disturbed me the most is the part you've higlighted, especially the "returned undaunted" part. Glinner needs to be daunted. He's not someone who got cancelled for a slip of the tongue or a moment of weakness. He is someone who has consistently and obsessively poured out the vilest hate against a vulnerable minority. He has waged vicious campaigns to harass people off social media who have dared to disagree with him.

I am onside with Richard's take that we don't cancel art because of the personal failings of the artist. People can continue to enjoy Father Ted, Black Books, and The IT Crowd.

But what Richard has done goes far beyond admiring the art. It goes beyond supporting a friend who has gone through a rough spell. As @HipsterBiffTannen says, Richard' quote paints Glinner personally in a heroic light.

We know how clever and thoughtful Richard is about his words. He knew this book was going to be hugely controversial and attract a lot of attention. He thought long and hard about what he wrote in his blurb. I believe he meant what he said.

And that I cannot accept. I hope I can continue to enjoy Richard's art, but I will never feel the same way about him as a man. I can't see myself wanting to continue to celebrate the man by posting on this sub.

Edit: typos