MEGHAN Markle’s lawyer tonight night hit back as it was claimed the Duchess of Sussex bullied staff and left them “severely psychologically traumatised”.
The second episode of the BBC’s controversial documentary The Princes And The Press focused on how Harry and Meghan quit the Royal Family, with The Celeb Report’s explosive Megxit revelations featuring heavily.
The Times’ royal correspondent Valentine Lowe, who broke the story of bullying claims, told presenter Amol Rajan: “These people, I know, two and a half years later, when I’m writing this story — some of them were in tears.
“They were still severely psychologically traumatised. So, something went badly wrong.”
But Meghan’s lawyer Jenny Afia, of firm Schillings, replied: “There were massive inaccuracies in that story.”
She added: “It’s hard to prove a negative. If you haven’t bullied someone, how do you show you haven’t?”
Asked if Meghan is a bully, she said: “Absolutely not.”
“What bullying actually means is improperly using power to hurt someone emotionally or physically.
“The Duchess has absolutely denied doing that.”
She added: “That said she wouldn’t want to negate anyone’s personal experiences.”
The Celeb Report revealed in March that Meghan bullying claims being investigated internally at Kensington Palace focused on her royal tour of Australia.
The 16-day trip in 2018 is said to have been host to a series of clashes between Meghan and her staff.
The BBC changed the title of last night’s documentary from “Megxit”, a term Prince Harry has called sexist, to “Sussexit”.
The BBC had also been set to release a five-part podcast yesterday, exploring the royals’ relationship with the Press, but it was mysteriously delayed at the eleventh hour.
The Beeb said: “The podcast is still in production.”
At the end of tonight’s show, a statement from The Palace said: “A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy.
“However too often over blown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”
The BBC had also been set to release a five-part podcast yesterday, exploring the royals’ relationship with the Press, but it was mysteriously delayed at the eleventh hour.
The Beeb said: “The podcast is still in production.”
The BBC Two documentary last week aired “unfounded” allegations that William and his staff briefed the media against Meghan and Harry.
Omid Scobie, author of sympathetic Meghan and Harry biography Finding Freedom, claimed “negative stories” had been leaked about the duchess to “put her in her place”.
No evidence was provided and he wasn’t challenged on the allegation by presenter Amol Rajan.
There was also Palace anger that Meghan arranged for her lawyer to appear and answer questions on her behalf.
