Piers Morgan speaks out
Piers Morgan has broken his silence after ITV announced his departure from Good Morning Britain last night.
The channel's announcement follows his controversial comments about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
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Taking to Twitter, Piers insisted he still doesn't believe what the Duchess said.
He wrote, '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. If you did, OK.'
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He continued, '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.'
Piers also included a quote from Sir Winston Churchill about freedom of speech.
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. If you did, OK. 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. pic.twitter.com/bv6zpz4Roe
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 10, 2021
What happened?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shared their experience with the Royal family in an explosive interview with Oprah on Sunday night.
They claimed, "conversations," were had about their son Archie's skin colour.
She also opened up about her own suicidal thoughts, and how she reached out for help.
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After watching the interview, Piers appeared on Good Morning Britain with a scathing review.
He also spoke very critically of Meghan and Harry, and made it clear he doesn't believe a word she said.
"This is a caricature portrait of our Monarchy and Royal family, which I think is contemptable."
Alex Beresford joins the discussion
The following day, he asked his colleague Alex Beresford to join him on the show for a chat about it.
After a long discussion, Alex defended the Royal couple, and slammed Piers for speaking badly of Meghan in particular.
He said, "I understand you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle or had one and she cut you off."
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"She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to," he continued.
"Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has but yet you continue to trash her."
This was breaking point for Piers, who said, "OK, I’m done with this," before walking off the show.
Piers Morgan just walked off the Good Morning Britain set (!!!) after co-presenter Alex Beresford defended Harry and Meghan and condemned Piers' treatment of them in yesterday's programming pic.twitter.com/mH75J8ND4O
— Chris Rickett (@chrisrickett) March 9, 2021
UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom received over 41,000 complaints over Piers' comments.
As quoted by ITV, they were forced to investigate the issue, 'under [their] harm and offence rules.'
Shortly after this, the channel released a statement announcing Piers' departure.
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The statement reads:
'Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain.'
'ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add'
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Read more about Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview here.