The Sydney Morning Herald has suspended columnist Paul Sheehan over a column that included inaccurate allegations that a gang rape was ignored by police.
Herald editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir said in a statement on Friday Sheehan would stand aside from his duties "until further notice".
Mr Goodsir said he had concluded a formal review of the February 22 column and found it contained "unacceptable breaches of fundamental journalistic practice".
Mr Goodsir did not name Mr Sheehan but said he would stand aside.
"The columnist, who has also apologised for the report and admitted this serious lapse, will stand aside from his duties until further notice," Mr Goodsir said.
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"It is critical that the editorial integrity of the Herald is maintained."
The column, titled "The horrifying untold story of Louise", alleged a woman had been raped, made negative assertions about the Middle Eastern community and claimed police ignored the woman's case.
Six days after the original column, Mr Sheehan apologised in another column headlined "Why the police have no case to answer, but I do".
That article included an editorial apology that noted "key elements" of the February 22 article could not be substantiated.
The original article has since been retracted and removed from the internet and the SMH has apologised for "hurt and distress" the report caused to the Middle Eastern community and NSW Police.
Mr Sheehan has mentioned the SMH's apology via Twitter, saying "I add my name to that regret".
