Meghan Markle 'formally complained to ITV' over Piers Morgan's reaction to Oprah Winfrey interview

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Watch: Meghan Markle reportedly files complaint with ITV, as Piers Morgan doubles down on comments

Meghan Markle sent a formal complaint to ITV after former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan said on Monday that he "didn't believe a word" of her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Morgan left the show on Tuesday evening, after Ofcom received more than 41,000 complaints related to his comments. He said on Wednesday that he stood by them.

Morgan stormed off the set after an on-air row with colleague Alex Beresford, who said Morgan was "continuing to trash" the Duchess of Sussex.

According to PA Media, as well as The Telegraph, Meghan filed her own complaint with ITV after the comments.

It's understood the nature of the complaint is "not about the personal attacks on the validity of her racism allegation made against the royal family, or her claims she was not supported by the institution when experiencing suicidal thoughts, but how Morgan’s comments may affect the issue of mental health generally and those attempting to deal with their own problems".

Watch: Piers Morgan walks off Good Morning Britain following heated discussion with Alex Beresford over Harry and Meghan interview

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 10:  Piers Morgan arrives at the TRIC Awards 2020 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on March 10, 2020 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Piers Morgan stood by his comments on Wednesday morning. (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Of Meghan's interview with Winfrey, Morgan said: "I don’t believe a word she says. I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report."

Doubling down on Wednesday, he said: "I had a good chat with ITV and we agreed to disagree.

“I’m just going to take it easy and see how we go.

“I believe in freedom of speech, I believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion.

Read more: Harry and Meghan interview: Was Archie denied a royal title when he was born?

“If people want to believe Meghan Markle, that’s entirely their right.

“I don’t believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth and I think the damage she’s done to the British monarchy and to the Queen at a time when Prince Philip is lying in hospital is enormous and, frankly, contemptible.

“If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it.”

Watch: Susanna Reid addresses Piers Morgan’s exit on GMB

Addressing her lack of usual co-anchor on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Susanna Reid said: "Now, Piers and I have disagreed on many things and that dynamic was one of the things viewers loved about the programme.

“He is without doubt an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster.

Read more: Buckingham Palace releases statement over Harry and Meghan interview

“He has many critics and he has many fans.

“You will know that I disagreed with him about Meghan’s interview.

“He himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday.”

The first part of the interview will be Meghan one on one with Winfrey. (CBS)
Meghan is said to not be concerned about the personal attack after her interview. (CBS)

She continued: "But now Piers has decided to leave the programme.

“Some of you may cheer and others may boo.

“He has been my presenting partner, Monday to Wednesday, for more than five years and during Brexit and the pandemic and other issues.

“He has been a voice for many of you and a voice that many of you have railed against.

“It is certainly going to be very different but shows go on and so on we go.”

ITV has said it will not comment on reports that Meghan complained. The duchess has also not commented.