Former GMB host Piers Morgan has celebrated an Ofcom ruling in his favour
Image via Twitter
@piersmorgan
‘Do I get my job back?’: Piers Morgan vindicated over Meghan comments
‘Defeat for Princess Pinocchio’: Piers Morgan has taken to Twitter to gloat after broadcasting body Ofcom ruled that his comments about Meghan Markle were ‘not in breach’.
Former GMB host Piers Morgan has celebrated an Ofcom ruling in his favour
Image via Twitter
@piersmorgan
Controversial media personality Piers Morgan has celebrated an Ofcom judgeent, after his comments about Meghan Markle in her and Prince Harry’s tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview were ruled “not in breach”.
The former Good Morning Britain host infamously stormed off the morning talk show, and later quit, after he was accused of “bullying” the royal following her bombshell tell-all in February.
His comments – in which he accuses Meghan of “lying” about being suicidal and accusing members of the British Royal Family of racism and bullying – culminated in over 50 000 complaints to the UK’s broadcasting regulatory authority.
Also read: Piers Morgan slams Prince Harry as ‘two-faced twerp’ amid private jet debacle
PIERS MORGAN: CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS WERE ‘FREEDOM OF SPEECH’
Ofcom tweeted their findings as well as a link to the 97-page report.
“Today we’ve concluded our investigation into Piers Morgan’s comments on Good Morning Britain in the wake of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey,” read the summarised tweet.
Ofcom also ruled that whilst Piers’s comments were “controversial”, they also accounted to “freedom of speech”.
“Mr. Morgan’s comments were potentially harmful and offensive to viewers, and we recognise the strong public reaction to them. But we also took full account of freedom of expression.
“Under our rules, broadcasters can include controversial opinions as part of legitimate debate in the public interest, and the strong challenge to Mr. Morgan from other contributors provided important context for viewers”.
They also vowed to tackle topics like suicide, mental illness and bullying with sensitivity and care, going forward.
“Nonetheless, we’ve reminded ITV to take greater care around content discussing mental health and suicide in future. ITV might consider the use of timely warnings or signposting of support services to ensure viewers are properly protected,” they concluded.
PIERS MORGAN: ‘A DEFEAT FOR PRINCESS PINOCCHIO’
Following the ruling, Piers Morgan took to Twitter to celebrate his vindication.
“Verdict says I was entitled to disbelieve her & Prince Harry & to restrict my right to do so would be a ‘chilling restriction on freedom of expression,” he tweeted of the breaking news.
He also jokingly asked the public if he was entitled to his job back.
“I’m delighted OFCOM has endorsed my right to disbelieve the Duke & Duchess of Sussex’s incendiary claims to Oprah Winfrey, many of which have proven to be untrue.
“This is a resounding victory for free speech and a resounding defeat for Princess Pinocchio. Do I get my job back?
Piers also hit back at criticism of the Ofcom ruling – particularly by royal commentator Omid Schoobie, a close friend of Meghan Markle and author of controversial biography Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family
Omid accused Ofcom of “discrediting a person’s mental health issues”.
But the outspoken star was not going to take the comment lying down. He hit back: “Pipe down, Lickspittle. You just trashed the Queen in your garbage book without a care for the mental health of a 95-year-old woman grieving the loss of her husband”
MIXED REACTION FROM TWEEPS
Whilst many tweeps hailed the move as a “victory for freedom of speech”, others claimed the ruling protected “racist” and “white supremist” Piers Morgan.
“Piers Morgan is a racist who harasses women, in particular black and those of color. Your ruling is basically that they should take it because he doesn’t wear his white hood to work and his co-hosts play footsie about abuse,” claimed one tweep.
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