Broadcaster Mark Dolan has claimed he became the target of a “horrific” online pile-on after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's representatives issued a strongly worded statement condemning comments he made about the couple.
Dolan describes ordeal
Appearing on the podcast The Daily Expresso, Dolan described himself as “a marked man” and claimed he had received abusive messages and veiled threats after the Sussexes' spokesperson said they were “disgusted” by his remarks.
Speaking to host JJ Anisiobi, Dolan said: “It's been an extraordinary experience. It's been devastating. It's been horrific. It's been a white-knuckle ride. It's been unsettling, it's been disturbing and it's been deeply wrong.”
Accusation against PR machine
He accused what he described as the “Sussex public relations machine” of turning him into the story. “The journalist never wants to be the story,” he said. “What we do is gather information, exercise our judgement and share our thoughts with readers and viewers. That's our job.”
The row centres on comments Dolan made during an appearance on royal commentator Tom Sykes' podcast, where he discussed what he described as the possibility of Prince Harry and Meghan creating a “rival royal court” in the future.
Clarification over remarks
Dolan insisted his comments related to the future, when Archie and Lilibet are “teenagers or young adults”, and denied he had criticised the children themselves. “I literally said teenagers and then clarified by saying young adults,” he said. “This is not Dolan beating up on a five-year-old. I'm talking about the future of the Royal Family.”
Dolan added that the Sussexes' spokesperson subsequently issued a statement saying: “We are disgusted”, which he believes misrepresented his remarks. “They've twisted it to create the impression that somehow I've attacked young children, and it's not true,” he said. “I'm talking about the future of the Royal Family.”
Online abuse and threats
Dolan claimed the statement triggered a torrent of online abuse from some supporters of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. “I've been attacked by the Sussex Squad before online. It's horrible. They are relentless,” he said.
When asked whether he had received death threats, Dolan said one online message warned that “it doesn't end well for you”, adding that he did not find the language “very comfortable”.
Call for high road
Despite the criticism, he urged his own supporters not to respond in kind. “I'm a free speech absolutist,” he said. “Don't go after these people. Let's not be the way they are. They can take the low road, we'll take the high road.”
Dolan also rejected suggestions he harboured any personal animosity towards the Duke and Duchess. When asked directly if he hated Harry and Meghan, he replied: “No. What I don't like is their behaviour. I don't like people who lie and I don't like people who attack others for personal gain.”
He added that, in his view, the couple had caused “a lot of pain and misery” through their public disputes, but insisted: “Hate? No.”
