When will Ofcom rule on Meghan Markle v Piers Morgan?
When will Ofcom rule on Markle v Morgan? Bosses at TV watchdog are facing questions over their delayed response to Pier’s comments about Meghan on GMB
- More than 57,000 viewers had contacted the regulator after the GMB presenter
- He said he didn’t believe Duchess’s claims about experiencing suicidal thoughts
- Her remarks in her infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey were five months ago
Bosses at TV watchdog Ofcom are facing questions over their failure to make a ruling on complaints against Piers Morgan for his comments on Meghan Markle.
More than 57,000 viewers contacted the regulator after the former Good Morning Britain presenter said he didn’t believe the Duchess’s claims about experiencing suicidal thoughts when she lived at Kensington Palace.
Her remarks during her infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey – and the TV star’s subsequent dismissal of them – were made almost five months ago.
Industry insiders are now suggesting the regulator has found itself in the middle of a ‘culture war’ between the fight for free speech and the woke brigade, which backs the Sussexes.
More than 57,000 viewers contacted the regulator after the former Good Morning Britain presenter said he didn’t believe the Duchess’s claims about experiencing suicidal thoughts when she lived at Kensington Palace
‘If they find against Piers then where does that leave free speech?’ said one expert.
‘But if they don’t uphold the complaints, will there be uproar from Meghan’s supporters and the suggestion that their decision is racist? They can’t win. Perhaps that explains the hold-up.’
Following the Oprah interview, Piers said on air: ‘I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says.
‘I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report.’
ITV chiefs gave him an ultimatum of either apologising or leaving – and he opted to quit. Audience figures for the programme have plummeted since he left
He later clarified his position, saying: ‘On mental illness and suicide, these are clearly extremely serious things and should be taken extremely seriously. And, if someone is feeling that way, they should get the treatment and the help that they need every time.’
ITV chiefs gave him an ultimatum of either apologising or leaving – and he opted to quit. Audience figures for the programme have plummeted since he left.
Sources at ITV said the network had not yet received any feedback from Ofcom.
The watchdog twice declined to respond to questions from The Mail on Sunday on the matter.
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