PIERS Morgan has reignited his bitter feud with ITV after he blasted the broadcaster over Meghan Markle’s complaint to Good Morning Britain.
The TV firebrand is celebrating today after a media watchdog confirmed he was within his rights to give his opinions on the Duchess during a heated debate on the show back in March.
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He stepped down from hosting the programme after saying he didn’t believe Meghan was telling the truth in the bombshell Oprah chat.
Despite Ofcom’s verdict this morning, sources say there are no plans to offer Piers his job on the show back.
And this afternoon, Piers blasted his old bosses for a statement released after his win.
ITV said co-star Susanna Reid, as well as “programme makers”, had provided the “balance and context” that was “key in mitigating against the potential for harm and offence caused by Piers”.
But the 56-year-old said 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.
“That’s not what the Ofcom report says in its conclusion. I suggest ITV reads it again.”
Piers 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 its ruling today, 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 Piers were “potentially harmful and offensive”.
However, they ultimately ruled that GMB was not in breach the broadcasting code.
Writing in the Mail after the verdict was revealed today, Piers took aim at Meghan and Harry, saying: “Chilling… wow.
“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.
“Make no mistake, this is a watershed moment in the battle for free speech.”
And he said Meghan had written directly to ITV chief Dame Carolyn McCall demanding “his head on a plate”.
It comes as…
- Piers Morgan hails a ‘watershed moment’ for free speech over Meghan Markle GMB row
- And he said ‘I still don’t believe her’ after Ofcom’s verdict
- The TV firebrand says he’s ‘delighted’ at the ‘resounding victory for free speech’
- The watchdog ruled GMB was not in breach the broadcasting code, Ofcom rules
- After the ruling, Piers joked: ‘Do I get my job back?’
The royal complained to ITV after Piers said he didn’t believe her claims to have had issues with her mental health, or that she was suicidal when pregnant with Archie.
In the interview, Meghan 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, Piers 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.”
Piers stepped away from GMB after refusing to apologise to the Duchess.
PIERS REIGNITES FEUD
His diatribe received the most Ofcom complaints in a decade.
ITV said in a statement this afternoon: “We welcome the Ofcom ruling that Good Morning Britain did not breach the broadcast standards relating to harm and offence.
“The ruling sets out clearly that it was the balance and context the programme 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 programme’s editorial decisions and the opposing views which were forcefully expressed by other presenters and guests that the programme did not breach Ofcom’s rules.”
Royal commentator Robert Jobson hailed the decision “a victory for common sense and free speech.”
Angela Levin, who wrote an authorised biography of Prince Harry, said it was a “marvellous result from Ofcom.”
Meghan will be absolutely livid
Angela Levin
Ms Levin claimed Meghan will be furious about the verdict.
She told the Sun Online: “I think she will be absolutely livid and she’ll ask her lawyers to see what they can do about it.
“She can’t cope with someone saying she didn’t tell the truth.”
But Ingrid Seward, the editor in chief of Majesty Magazine, said the Duchess has every right to be distressed.
“I should think she will be upset because he was extremely rude about her,” she told The Sun.
“I absolutely understand him saying she was telling a lot of untruths but we don’t know if she was suicidal or not so I don’t think that’s fair.”
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