UK media regulator Ofcom launched an investigation after more than 41,000 people wrote complaining about ITV presenter’s “Good Morning Britain” comments on Meghan Markle.
In Monday’s edition of the program, Morgan said she did not believe Markle’s statement on mental health, which she made during her and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, which was broadcast in the United States on Sunday night.
Markle said she approached people at the Royal “institution” for help after having suicidal thoughts, but was declined.
“Who did you go to? What did they say to you? I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word of what she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report, ”said Morgan on the program.
“We launched an investigation into Monday’s episode of ‘Good Morning Britain’ under our damage and offense rules,” said an Ofcom spokesman. Variety. Ofcom received 41,015 complaints about Morgan’s comments until 2 pm UK time on Tuesday.
Variety contacted ITV to comment on Ofcom’s investigation.
There was a great deal of drama in Tuesday’s edition of “Good Morning Britain” when Morgan left the set furious during the live broadcast after an altercation with meteorologist Alex Beresford, who supported Markle.
He later returned to the program and said, “When we talked about it yesterday, I said, as a comprehensive thing, I don’t believe what Meghan Markle is saying in general in this interview and I still have serious concerns about the veracity of much of what she said. said.
“But let me just state, for the record, my position on mental illness and suicide. These are clearly extremely serious things and should be taken very seriously and if someone is feeling this way, they should receive the treatment and help they need all the time. And if they belong to an institution like the royal family and go and seek that help, they should receive it absolutely.
“It is not for me to question whether she felt suicidal, I am not in her mind and that is for her to say. My real concern was frank disbelief … that she went to a senior member of the royal household and told them that she was suicidal and was told that she could not have any help because it would look bad for the family. If this is true a) that person should be fired and b) the royal family has serious questions that need to be answered. “
ITV Chief Executive Carolyn McCall said on Tuesday that she believed in Markle completely and that the broadcaster also issued a statement. “ITV is committed to mental health and well-being and working with our charity partners on ‘Britain Get Talking’, which aims to encourage people to talk about their mental health,” said the statement. “It is very important that, if someone has thoughts of suicide, always speak and be heard.”
Britain Get Talking is an ITV mental well-being initiative.