Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Piers Morgan weighs in on Jeremy Clarkson’s Meghan Markle column

‘I’m just asking where the same anger is towards the lies/smears hurled at the Royal Family,’ presenter wrote

Inga Parkel
Wednesday 21 December 2022 00:18 EST
Comments
Jeremy Clarkson controversy

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Piers Morgan has commented on Jeremy Clarkson’s controversial rant about Meghan Markle in a national newspaper.

In an op-ed for The Sun, published 16 December, Clarkson wrote that he loathes the Duchess of Sussex “on a cellular level” and wants people to “throw lumps of excrement” at her.

The article has since been removed from the publication’s website after the column became the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s most complained about article.

Clarkson himself has received considerable backlash, with a number of celebrities and public figures condemning his remarks.

Morgan – an outspoken critic of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – reacted to Clarkson’s column on Twitter, writing: “Imagine if all those screaming with rage about Jeremy Clarkson felt the same protective anger towards those who’ve branded our Royal Family callous lying racist bullies - without producing any actual evidence for these cruel allegations?”

In a subsequent post, the former Good Morning Britain anchor clarified that while he’s “not defending what Clarkson wrote”, he’s asking “where the same anger is towards the lies/smears hurled at the Royal Family”.

In March 2021, Morgan’s disparaging comments about Markle’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey ignited fury.

Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson
Piers Morgan and Jeremy Clarkson (Getty Images)

He told viewers at the time that he “didn’t believe a word” the Duchess of Sussex said about having suicidal thoughts during her time as a senior royal, later referring to her as “Pinocchio Princess” on social media.

The following day, he stormed off-set after weather presenter Alex Beresford criticised him for “continuing to trash” Markle.

Morgan promptly announced his exit from the programme, saying: “On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t.”

“If you did, OK. Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in