PIERS Morgan has reignited his bitter feud with ITV after he blasted the broadcaster over Meghan Markle’s complaint to Good Morning Britain.
The TV firebrand is celebrating today after a media watchdog confirmed he was within his rights to give his opinions on the Duchess during a heated debate on the show back in March.
He stepped down from hosting the programme after saying he didn’t believe Meghan was telling the truth in the bombshell Oprah chat.
Despite Ofcom’s verdict this morning, sources say there are no plans to offer Piers his job on the show back.
Meanwhile, Piers has blasted his old bosses for a statement released after his win today.
Bosses said co-star Susanna Reid, as well as “programme makers”, had provided the “balance and context” that was “key in mitigating against the potential for harm and offence caused by Piers”.
But Piers has now blasted his former employers in an angry tweet.
He said: “Hmmm, ITV have just put out a statement saying I only won the Ofcom case against Princess Pinocchio because my colleagues expressed different opinions to mine.
“That’s not what the Ofcom report says in its conclusion. I suggest ITV reads it again.”
In its ruling today, Ofcom said: “The restriction of such views would, in our view, be an unwarranted and chilling restriction on freedom of expression both of the broadcaster and the audience.”
Writing in the Mail after the verdict was revealed today, Piers took aim at Meghan and Harry, saying: “Chilling… wow.
“Ironically, I would imagine that word will prompt a very chilly reaction from the self-satisfied Sussexes as they slurp kale smoothies in their California mansion over breakfast this morning.
“Make no mistake, this is a watershed moment in the battle for free speech.”
And he said Meghan had written directly to ITV chief Dame Carolyn McCall demanding “his head on a plate”.
‘WATERSHED MOMENT’
The royal complained after Piers said he didn’t believe her claims to have had issues with her mental health.
He even claimed he didn’t believe she was left feeling suicidal.
In the interview, Meghan told how life as a royal became unbearable and she “didn’t want to be alive anymore”.
But in a show the day after the chat aired, Piers ranted: “I don’t believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe a weather report if she read it.
“The fact she has expressed an onslaught against our Royal Family is contemptible.”
Piers stepped away from GMB after refusing to apologise to the Duchess.
PIERS REIGNITES FEUD
His diatribe received the most Ofcom complaints in a decade.
ITV said in a statement this afternoon: “We welcome the Ofcom ruling that Good Morning Britain did not breach the broadcast standards relating to harm and offence.
“The ruling sets out clearly that it was the balance and context the programme makers provided which was key in mitigating against the potential for harm and offence which could have been caused by Piers Morgan’s comments.
“It is because of the programme’s editorial decisions and the opposing views which were forcefully expressed by other presenters and guests that the programme did not breach Ofcom’s rules.”
Royal commentator Robert Jobson hailed the decision “a victory for common sense and free speech.”
Angela Levin, who wrote an authorised biography of Prince Harry, said it was a “marvellous result from Ofcom.”
More to follow…
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