Piers Morgan’s huge win over Meghan Markle

Piers Morgan has gloated after being cleared of any wrongdoing by Britain’s media watchdog over his fiery rant about Meghan Markle.

Piers Morgan has had a big win in his ongoing feud with Meghan Markle.

Britain’s media watchdog, Ofcom, has ruled that Morgan did not breach the broadcasting code when he called Markle a “liar” during a March episode of Good Morning Britain.

During the fiery on-air rant, Morgan addressed Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey and dismissed the Duchess’ claim that she had struggled with suicidal thoughts.

“I don’t believe a word she says,” Morgan said on air. “I wouldn’t believe a weather report if she read it.

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

Piers Morgan has been cleared by Ofcom. Picture: Valerie Macon/AFP

The segment outraged viewers with Ofcom receiving 57,000 complaints, including one from the Duchess herself.

Morgan was told he had to apologise to Markle if he wanted to keep his job. He refused and quit.

But in a stunning overnight victory for Morgan, Ofcom has cleared him of any wrongdoing.

“Consistent with freedom of expression, Mr Morgan was entitled to say he disbelieved the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s allegations and to hold and express strong views that rigorously challenged their account,” the regulator said.

Haryr and Meghan. Picture: Michele Spatari/AFP

“The [Ofcom broadcasting] code allows for individuals to express strongly held and robustly argued views, including those that are potentially harmful or highly offensive, and for broadcasters to include these in their programming.

“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.”

Morgan celebrated the ruling on Twitter by writing: “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?”

ITV sources have told The Mirror there are “no plans” for Morgan to return to Good Morning Britain.

Reaction to Ofcom ruling

Royal commentator Robert Jobson hailed the decision “a victory for common sense and free speech”, but Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie was not impressed by the ruling.

Scobie, who is a personal friend of Harry and Meghan’s, tweeted:

One of those restrictions is “protection of health or morals”, which makes me question @ofcom’s decision. While everyone should be free to express opinion on public figures, discrediting a person’s mental health issues on TV reinforced a dangerous stigma and put others at risk.

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) September 1, 2021

Under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998, freedom of speech ensures everyone in UK “has the right to freedom of expression.” But it is not absolute—that freedom can also be subject to laws and “formalities, conditions, restrictions… necessary in a democratic society.”

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) September 1, 2021

Predictably, Morgan hit back at Scobie.

“Pipe down, Lickspittle,” the broadcaster tweeted to the royal author. “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.”

Royal author Angela Levin told The Sun Online that Markle would be upset by Ofcom’s ruling.

“I think she will be absolutely livid and she’ll ask her lawyers to see what they can do about it,” Ms Levin said. “She can’t cope with someone saying she didn’t tell the truth. Because she is all about compassion and understanding and caring for people.”

Originally published as Piers Morgan’s huge win over Meghan Markle