[agere_contra]

What does the headline mean, anyway? Is it some kind of Britishism?

You are correct. "He's a right charlie" = "He's a right idiot" = "He's an complete idiot" /two peoples separated by the same language :0)

[Caveman Lawyer]

"He's a right charlie" = "He's a right idiot" = "He's an complete idiot"

Heh heh. Thought there might be a bit of that going on. Always helps to ask!