TV watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into comments made by Piers Morgan about the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The organisation received more than 41,000 complaints about his remarks on Monday during ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
The presenter made dismissive comments about Meghan’s claims to have had issues with her mental health during the show.
We have launched an investigation into Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules.
As of 14:00 on Tuesday 9 March, we have received 41,015 complaints about the programme.— Ofcom (@Ofcom) March 9, 2021
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An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We have launched an investigation into Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules.”
Morgan’s comments on Monday were criticised by mental health charity Mind.
The organisation previously said in a tweet it was “disappointed and concerned” by Morgan’s comments, adding: “It’s vital that, when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health, they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy.”
During Tuesday’s episode of Good Morning Britain, Morgan stormed off set following a discussion about Meghan with his colleague Alex Beresford.
Weather presenter Beresford defended the couple, who have made global headlines following their bombshell interview with Winfrey.
He took Morgan to task, saying: “I understand you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one, and she cut you off.
“She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has but yet you continue to trash her.”
ITV’s chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall subsequently said on Tuesday the row was not “manufactured”.
Dame Carolyn added that ITV managing director of media and entertainment Kevin Lygo had been in discussion with Morgan in recent days regarding his coverage of the Harry and Meghan interview.
She said Good Morning Britain was a “balanced show”, adding: “ITV has many voices and we try and represent many voices every day. It’s not about one opinion.”
Harry and Meghan, now living in the US, made a number of explosive revelations in their interview, among them an allegation that a member of the family – not the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh – had made a racist comment about their unborn son, Archie.
During the interview, which first aired in the US and was broadcast on ITV on Monday night, Meghan spoke openly about her mental health, telling Winfrey she had had suicidal thoughts and had asked to go somewhere to get help, but was told it would not look good by one of the most senior people in the institution.
Buckingham Palace has not yet responded to the Sussexes’ interview.
