November 23, 2024

Piers Morgan Being Investigated by U.K. Regulator Ofcom Over Meghan Markle Comments

Ofcom #Ofcom

U.K. broadcasting regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into ITV show Good Morning Britain and yesterday’s episode that saw co-host Piers Morgan come under fire for comments made about Meghan Markle.

While Ofcom didn’t specifically name Morgan, it said it was investigating Monday’s episode under its “harm and offence” rules after it received 41,015 complaints about the program.

Ofcom began trending on Twitter on Monday after thousands said they were complaining about Morgan, who had used the Good Morning Britain show to repeatedly attack Markle following her interview with Oprah Winfrey. Among the most contentious comments were regarding mental health, in which he appeared to claim he didn’t believe Markle’s statements about having had suicidal thoughts, and that she turned to the royal “institution for help,” only to be refused.

“Who did you go to? What did they say to you? I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle,” he said. “I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report.”

On Monday, mental health charity Mind, which is working with Morgan’s employer ITV on a mental health initiative, said it was in discussions with the broadcaster about his comments, while in ITV’s earnings call on Tuesday morning CEO Carolyn McCall confirmed that ITV execs were talking to Morgan about his conduct.

The network announced Tuesday that Morgan will be leaving the show. “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain,” ITV said in a statement. “ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”

11:15 a.m.: Updated with news of Morgan’s departure.

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