Piers Morgan has invited criticism after inviting Andrew Tate to share his thoughts on Jeremy Clarkson’s intensely debated column on Meghan Markle.
Clarkson’s column, written over the weekend, has since become the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s most-complained about article ever, after the organisation said it received over 20,800 complaints about the piece, which appeared in The Sun on Friday.
In the column, former Top gear star Clarkson said he ‘hated’ the Duchess of Sussex on a ‘cellular level’ and dreamed about her being paraded through the streets and shamed in a nod to a Game Of Thrones scene.
His words led to widespread shock and anger from members of the public as well as celebrities, with Clarkson’s daughter, activist and podcaster Emily Clarkson condemning the piece, and the host himself later saying he was ‘horrified’ after making the ‘clumsy’ comment.
Following his own criticism of Meghan in the past, Morgan – who questioned the outrage at Clarkson’s article – brought up the Duchess yet again on his programme on Tuesday evening, asking controversial figure Tate for his hot take.
Saying that ‘most people did find crossed the line, and was deeply offensive, I think it crossed a line,’ he invited Tate’s thoughts.
Tate – who was banned from several social media platforms this year over allegations of hate speech – said: ‘I understand why people feel that, but when you attack an institution as old as the British Royal Family you’re attacking patriotism in and of itself for one of the most respected, or previously well-respected, countries on Earth and you’re gonna have some visceral reactions.’
He went on to suggest ‘perhaps Jeremy Clarkson is too famous, too renowned to say those kinds of things,’ but when asked whether Clarkson should have apologised, went on to say: ‘Personally I think as a man you should stand up say what you mean, mean what you say.
‘I don’t think you should apologise for anything you’ve ever said…’
He added: ‘If you truly regret it, then ok you can apologise, but if at the time you meant it, the best thing you can do is say, look I changed my mind, I no longer feel that way, but at the time that’s how I felt and I’m a person who says what they feel and that’s what I felt at the time and I apologise it offended you.’
Tate’s appearance on Morgan’s show hit a nerve with many viewers, who brought up the criticism he’s directed Meghan in the past.
One wrote: ‘Piers Morgan constantly hammers and hates Meghan Markle for being a strong women and standing up for herself – but gives constant air time to Andrew Tate? Does someone wanna explain this?’ while another added of the segment: ‘It’s just so blatantly obvious what they’re doing. Meghan and Harry were right.’
Another noted: ‘Piers Morgan trotting out Andrew Tate, who once tweeted that rape victims need to take some responsibility and that women belong to men, to defend Jeremy Clarkson’s violent sexualised article about Meghan Markle as ‘free speech’ pretty much sums up British media tbh.’
Amid the furore, one wrote: ‘Andrew Tate live on Piers Morgan uncensored, he’s being asked questions that Piers is concerned more about – Meghan, Jeremy, nurse strikes, racism etc – and Tate is well spoken and charismatic as ever. there’s a reason people listen to this guy. also hints at changes in attitudes.’
It’s not the first time Morgan, who is one of Meghan’s most outspoken critics, addressed the Clarkson controversy after he tweeted on Tuesday: ‘Imagine if all those screaming with rage about Jeremy Clarkson felt the same protective anger towards those who’ve branded our Royal Family callous lying racist bullies – without producing any actual evidence for these cruel allegations?’
One Twitter user then questioned Morgan’s seeming lack of criticism for Prince Andrew, who stepped back from royal public duties following accusations of sexual assault from Virginia Guiffre, which he vehemently denied.
The broadcaster fired back: ‘I’ve written many columns/tweets heavily criticising Prince Andrew.’
When one commentator suggested Morgan ‘wouldn’t want any women to have nasty things thrown at them’, the journalist replied: ‘I wouldn’t, no. I’m not defending what Clarkson wrote, I’m just asking where the same anger is towards the lies/smears hurled at the Royal Family.’
