All this made Mrs Nelson a hate figure for many unionists, including some police.

ECONOMIST: Tragedy of a death foretold

Jack Straw has made himself a hate figure among liberals by out-toughing Michael Howard on crime.

ECONOMIST: Would Prime Minister Blair be a radical?

His staunch opposition to gay marriage - legalised in Argentina in 2010 - made him a hate figure for supporters of civil partnerships.

BBC: Pope Francis divides opinion in Argentina

Months later, the 58-year-old was charged with Jackson's death and became a hate figure to the singer's legions of fans around the world.

BBC: Profile: Dr Conrad Murray

Mantel, whose latest novels are set in the royal court in Tudor times, said she believed she had been "set up" as a hate figure.

BBC: Hilary Mantel

Hamilton has become a hate figure for some Spaniards because of his rivalry with the country's double world champion Fernando Alonso when they were team-mates at McLaren.

BBC: Website racists target Hamilton

Dr Gallo is a hate figure among Mr Duesberg's lay supporters precisely because he did so much to establish that HIV was the cause of AIDS, which they still deny.

ECONOMIST: Letters

He said the Irish diplomat stood up to the Nazis in Danzig and was a "hate figure to the Third Reich but he is now remembered in his home place".

BBC: Sean Lester: Belfast tribute to leading diplomat

Kazini has remained a prominent hate figure for Rwandans.

BBC: How Uganda and Rwanda fell out