Piers Morgan says on Wednesday that he stands by his criticisms of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
Morgan left the show on Tuesday after saying he “didn’t believe a word” Meghan said in her interview with Oprah Winfrey. ITV abruptly announced his decision to opt out of “Good Morning Britain.”
During the interview with Oprah, Meghan said she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” and had contemplated suicide while pregnant with her son Archie. She said the royal family had told her she couldn’t seek help because “it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”
On Monday’s edition of “Good Morning Britain,” Morgan questioned whether the Duchess was being truthful about having suicidal thoughts. His comments sparked a huge controversy in Britain, and he was rebuked by the mental health charity mind.
OFCOM is investigating Morgan’s comments after receiving 41,000 complaints.
It is also being reported the duchess formally complained to ITV about Morgan’s remarks.
Chris Ship, the royal editor of ITV News, also referred to her complaint, tweeting: “The Duchess of Sussex formally filed a complaint to ITV on Monday.
“It’s thought to have been sent to the broadcaster’s CEO. Meghan raised concerns about how Piers Morgan’s words affect the issue of mental health and what it might do to others contemplating suicide.”
Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething has also described Piers Morgan’s comments about the duchess as “wholly unacceptable, incredibly unkind and exactly where we should not be in public debate and discourse”.
Addressing his exit, co-host Susanna Reid said she had disagreed with his comments, and added: “Shows go on.”
Ranvir Singh, who was sitting in Morgan’s chair on Wednesday, said: “We don’t call him Marmite for nothing.” It is not yet known who will be his permanent replacement on GMB.
In a tweet as the programme was beginning, Morgan said: “On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t.”
“Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions,” he said.
