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Piers Morgan slams Scobie amid ‘royal racism’ furore

Piers Morgan has slammed Omid Scobie and challenged him to appear on his show as the Endgame author defended himself.

Endgame author Omid Scobie appears on This Morning in Britain. Picture: ITV
Endgame author Omid Scobie appears on This Morning in Britain. Picture: ITV

Piers Morgan has exchanged insults with Endgame author, Omid Scobie as the storm around the royal “racism” allegations grows.

Copies of Scobie’s book were pulled from the shelves in Holland this week when it was discovered the names of two members of the royal family had been published in the book in relation to a purported discussion about the skin colour of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Archie.

Appearing on British morning television, Scobie doubled down, claiming he never named the royals – King Charles and the Princess of Wales – whose names appear in the Dutch version of his controversial book.

Endgame author Omid Scobie appears on This Morning in Britain. Picture: ITV
Endgame author Omid Scobie appears on This Morning in Britain. Picture: ITV

The author also hit out at Morgan after the TV pundit was the first to identify Charles and Catherine as being the two members of the royal family in question.

Buckingham Palace is considering legal action after Morgan’s shock move with The Telegraph in the UK quoting a royal “source” as saying “we are considering all options”.

Scobie insisted he did not name the pair in the English version of the book that he submitted for publication. He also denied being friends with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

It comes as the Dutch translator who worked on the book insisted the titles of the King and Princess of Wales were in the manuscript she was sent.

Saskia Peeters claimed she did not add the names to the Dutch version of the book.

“As a translator, I translate what is in front of me. The names of the royals were there in black and white. I did not add them. I just did what I was paid to do and that was (to) translate the book from English into Dutch,” she said, according to The Mirror.

Piers Morgan named the royals who are alleged to have commented on Archie’ skin colour, which were printed in the Dutch version of Omid Scobie’s book, Endgame. Picture: Supplied
Piers Morgan named the royals who are alleged to have commented on Archie’ skin colour, which were printed in the Dutch version of Omid Scobie’s book, Endgame. Picture: Supplied

Morgan took straight to Twitter as Scobie appeared on live TV, posting a photo of the author captioned: “Liar.”

He then posted again, saying: “Comical to watch lying Sussex lickspittle Scobie say he’s never written a draft of his book naming the two supposed royal ‘racists’.

“How else did the Dutch version get printed with those explosive details?

“He wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped him round his Botoxed chops.”

Endgame author Omid Scobie said he was “frustrated” the names had been printed in the Dutch edition of his book. Picture: ITV
Endgame author Omid Scobie said he was “frustrated” the names had been printed in the Dutch edition of his book. Picture: ITV

Morgan then invited Scobie to appear on his Piers Uncensored TV show.

“Rather than appearing on shows where you get to spew your bulls*** unchallenged, come on Piers Uncensored tonight,” Morgan wrote.

“We can clear the air about your unfortunate ‘accidental’ naming of the two royals your heroine Ms Markle said made racist remarks about her baby.”

SCOBIE SAYS HE IS NOT FRIENDS WITH HARRY AND MEGHAN

The author repeatedly defended himself – and Endgame – as he was grilled on British morning TV.

This Morning co-host Craig Doyle quizzed Scobie on the translation error, telling him: “It does feel like a stunt to sell books.”

Scobie was quick to deny that was the case, labelling the situation “frustrating”.

But during the interview Scobie also slammed Morgan saying he “wasn’t credible”, adding: “He says a lot of things about me that are not true.

“I wrote and edited the English version of the book with one publisher, that then gets licensed to other publishers,” Scobie said.

Endgame author Omid Scobie appears on This Morning in Britain. Picture: ITV
Endgame author Omid Scobie appears on This Morning in Britain. Picture: ITV

“I obviously can’t speak Italian, German, French, Dutch or any of the other languages that it’s come out.

“I’m as frustrated as everyone else,” he said.

“I had never submitted a book that had their names in it. I can only talk about my version.

“I’m frustrated but I wouldn’t say I’m upset about it.”

Scobie went on to say he “believes” in the monarchy, however, he says there are moments that don’t represent Britain.

King Charles was all smiles on a trip to Nigeria. Picture: Supplied
King Charles was all smiles on a trip to Nigeria. Picture: Supplied

“This book is written to sit at the heart of the conversation about the purpose and future of the royal family.”

The author also went on to deny being friends with the Sussexes and said they’d never been close, saying: “I’m not their friend … I’m not in their private world in any way whatsoever.”

Prince William and Princess Catherine hosted Swedish royals Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel at Windsor Castle. Picture: Supplied
Prince William and Princess Catherine hosted Swedish royals Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel at Windsor Castle. Picture: Supplied

ROYALS CARRY ON AMID FURORE

It comes as King Charles was seen smiling as he carried on as usual on a trip to Dubai.

As he arrived for a 30-minute meeting with Nigeria’s president Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday morning local time, the two men shook hands warmly and the president asked after his wellbeing.

“I’m all right very much, just about,” he replied. Royal sources told The Telegraph that the monarch was entirely focused on the summit.

Princess Catherine and Prince William were also photographed smiling as they hosted Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel at Windsor Castle. The Wales’ are slated to attend the Royal Variety Performance on Thursday night local time, their first major public appearance since the controversy.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/lickspittle-liar-morgan-slams-scobie-amid-royal-racism-furore/news-story/5e9f61748a790af9c1307f15aa95c22a