Piers Morgan cleared by UK media regulator after controversial comments about Duchess of Sussex

Britain’s media regulator has cleared TV presenter and journalist Piers Morgan of any broadcasting code violations for making comments about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, that drew thousands of viewer complaints.

The number of complaints was the largest ever received by the watchdog agency.

The Office of Communications, known as OFCOM, said Morgan did not breach the broadcasting code when he said on Good Morning Britain that he did not believe what Meghan said during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Morgan welcomed the decision with a post on Twitter.

“This is a resounding victory for free speech and a resounding defeat for Princess Pinocchios. Do I get my job back?” Morgan, 56, tweeted.

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Morgan attracted a flood of complaints when he commented during the March episode of Good Morning Britain that he did not “believe a word she says” and that “I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report”.

Morgan was referring to comments the duchess made about her mental health, alleged racist attitudes and what she perceived as a lack of support while trying to fit in as a member of the royal family.

Many mental health campaigners slammed him for dismissing mental illness, and Meghan herself filed complaints with OFCOM and broadcaster ITV.

Morgan quit the show after the uproar over his comments.

OFCOM said that while Morgan’s comments were “potentially harmful and offensive to viewers,” regulators “took full account of freedom of expression”.

“Under our rules, broadcasters can include controversial opinions as part of legitimate debate in the public interest,” the office said in a statement.

Morgan, known for speaking his mind and often stirring controversies with his opinions, previously appeared as a judge on America’s Got Talent.

AP