Meghan Markle faces a setback after Piers Morgan cleared in ‘liar’ complaint

He labelled Meghan Markle a ‘liar’ on live TV. Now, a ruling has been made on the Duchess of Sussex’s complaint against British presenter Piers Morgan.

Piers Morgan has been cleared by Britain’s media watchdog after he labelled Meghan Markle a “liar” on live television in the wake of her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The TV firebrand stepped down as host on ITV’s Good Morning Britain after the Duchess of Sussex made a complaint to the network about his remarks and he refused to apologise in March this year.

Communications regulator Ofcom ruled that Morgan was “within his rights” to give his opinions on the Duchess during a heated debate on the show.

In its ruling, Ofcom said: “The restriction of such views would, in our view, be an unwarranted and chilling restriction on freedom of expression both of the broadcaster and the audience”.

The watchdog said the comments made by Morgan were “potentially harmful and offensive”.

However, they ultimately ruled that GMB was not in breach of the broadcasting code.

Meghan Markle made a formal complaint about Piers Morgan’s comments on British TV. Picture: AFP

Morgan took aim at Markle and Prince Harry after the verdict was revealed, saying: “Chilling … wow” in an article for The Daily Mail.

“Ironically, I would imagine that word will prompt a very chilly reaction from the self-satisfied Sussexes as they slurp kale smoothies in their California mansion over breakfast this morning,” he continued.

“Make no mistake, this is a watershed moment in the battle for free speech.”

Morgan previously claimed that Markle had written directly to ITV chief Dame Carolyn McCall demanding “his head on a plate”.

In a statement, ITV said: “We welcome the Ofcom ruling that Good Morning Britain did not breach the broadcast standards relating to harm and offence”.

Piers Morgan has slammed ITV over the network’s response to Ofcom’s ruling. Picture: AFP

“The ruling sets out clearly that it was the balance and context the program makers provided which was key in mitigating against the potential for harm and offence which could have been caused by Piers Morgan’s comments.

“It is because of the program’s editorial decisions and the opposing views which were forcefully expressed by other presenters and guests that the program did not breach Ofcom’s rules.”

Morgan hit back in a furious tweet: “Hmmm, ITV have just put out a statement saying I only won the Ofcom case against Princess Pinocchio because my colleagues expressed different opinions to mine.

Hmmm, ITV have just put out a statement saying I only won the ⁦@Ofcom⁩ case against Princess Pinocchio because my colleagues expressed different opinions to mine. That’s not what the ⁦@Ofcom⁩ report says in its conclusion. I suggest ITV reads it again. 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/vCh2iiJdis

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 1, 2021

“That’s not what the Ofcom report says in its conclusion. I suggest ITV reads it again.”

Morgan also posted a picture of him and former co-host Susanna on the ITV morning show.

He wrote: “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 Pinocchios. Do I get my job back?”

In the Oprah interview, Markle told how life as a royal became unbearable and she “didn’t want to be alive anymore”.

But speaking during a show broadcast the day after the chat aired, Morgan ranted: “I don’t believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe a Weather Report if she read it.

“The fact she has expressed an onslaught against our Royal Family is contemptible.”

His diatribe received the most Ofcom complaints in a decade.