Meghan Markle Reportedly Complained About Piers Morgan to ITV, Along With 41,000 Others
Piers Morgan stepped down as a host of Good Morning Britain because of his comments about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The longtime host said on air that he didn’t believe Meghan when she said she experienced suicidal ideation. His comments resulted in a heavy wave of backlash on social media and from his own co-hosts, and 41,000 complaints about him were filed to ITV. And according to new reports, Meghan Markle was one of them.
Meghan Markle’s comments about suicide were a brave admission
Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on Sunday, March 7, on CBS. She was joined by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, later in the interview.
In her one-on-one time with Oprah, Meghan revealed that she had experienced suicidal ideation while pregnant with her son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. She said she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore.”
The Duchess shared the truth about her mental health in order to highlight an important issue. After experiencing what she called a “clear and real and frightening thought” about ending her own life, she reached out to the royal family “institution” for help. Basically, she reached out to HR, but because she was a member of the royal family and not a paid staffer, they couldn’t help her.
Meghan and Harry also said the institution and “the firm” wouldn’t allow her to check herself into a mental health facility like she requested.
Piers Morgan said he ‘didn’t believe a word’ of Meghan Markle’s comments about suicide
Morgan, who seems to have harbored a personal resentment for Meghan for years, used his Good Morning Britain platform to disparage her admission.
“I don’t believe a word [Meghan] says,” he said on Monday, March. 8. “I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report.”
His co-host, Susanna Reid, called his comment “pathetic.” When co-host Alex Beresford condemned Morgan for his hurtful and insensitive remarks, Morgan stormed off set. Because apparently he can barrage people with as much animosity as he sees fit, but facing any fair criticism himself is a non-starter. He quit the show shortly after and has since called himself a martyr of free speech. The sound you just heard is that of the internet rolling its collective eyes.
Morgan quit the show because ITV, Good Morning Britain‘s network, launched an investigation into his comments after 41,000 people issued complaints against him.
Meghan Markle’s reported response to Piers Morgan’s comments were made in a private letter to ITV’s CEO
According to Variety, Meghan issued a formal complaint directly to the CEO of ITV, Carolyn McCall. Omid Scobie of Harper’s Bazaar also tweeted about the reported contents of Meghan’s letter. He said:
“The letter was written by the duchess for one reason only — to raise and share concern over the serious impact that Morgan’s comments could have on anyone struggling with their mental health or thinking about seeking help.”
As much as Morgan likes to call Meghan’s actions selfish, her actions indicate the complete opposite.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
