Media regulator Ofcom has cleared ITV over a record 58,000 complaints about Piers Morgan's criticism of the Duchess of Sussex on Good Morning Britain. The former host said he did not believe Meghan's claims in her Oprah Winfrey interview in March, prompting complaints from the duchess herself and the public.
Ofcom said restricting Morgan's views would be a 'chilling restriction' on free expression, but criticised his 'apparent disregard' for the subject of suicide. The regulator noted its decision was 'finely balanced', but that ITV had provided adequate protection to viewers from potentially harmful statements about mental health.
Morgan, 56, described the ruling as 'a resounding victory for free speech'. He said he was 'delighted' and questioned why he lost his job, adding that Ofcom had 'emphatically endorsed my right to not believe what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were saying'.
The complaints related to episodes on 8 and 9 March, when Morgan said he did not 'believe a word she said' and called her claims 'contemptible'. He later conceded it was 'not for me to question if she felt suicidal', but defended his right to an opinion.
ITV welcomed the decision, stating that the balance and context provided by programme makers was key. The broadcaster said it was Morgan's decision to leave GMB and has no plans to invite him back, though it will continue working with him on Life Stories.
