The son of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is under fire over a “disgraceful” social media post about a female journalist.

On Monday, The Australian journalist Janet Albrechtsen shared a story about Alex Turnbull to her Twitter account.

“Alex Turnbull has become a very funny caricature of the sore loser,” her caption said.

Alex Turnbull has become a very funny caricature of the sore loser. Keep it coming. https://t.co/niI0MlJihi

— janet albrechtsen (@jkalbrechtsen) December 3, 2018

It didn’t go down well with the former PM’s son, who replied to Ms Albrechtsen with a low blow.

Mr Turnbull went against his progressive beliefs, using the journalist’s sex life to try and shame her.

His tweet has since been deleted and a weak, conditional apology issued.

Apologies to Janet Albrechtsen. Your personal life, much like your opinions on family values and judgements on the lives of others have no place in public discourse.

— Alex Turnbull (@alexbhturnbull) December 3, 2018

Ray Hadley has slammed Mr Turnbull’s comment as “disgraceful”.

“He needs to pull his head in and wake up to himself.

“He’s a young man saying dumb things and I’ve cut him some slack… but now he’s entered the debate in the most unsavoury, disgusting way.

“And for that, he should be condemned.”

Click PLAY below to hear Ray Hadley’s thoughts in full

Fairfax journalist Latika Bourke rushed to the defence of her News Limited counterpart, questioning Mr Turnbull’s motives.

“If Abbott or any of the right-wing Libs made such a comment about a female journalist would you consider that decent, respectable and a sign of your progressive credentials?”

Why on earth do you think any woman’s sex life is something you can comment on? If Abbott or any of the right-wing Libs made such a comment about a female journalist would you consider that decent, respectable and a sign of your progressive credentials?

— Latika M Bourke (@latikambourke) December 3, 2018