The UK regulator backs Piers Morgan following complaints about Meghan Markle's suicide comments and supports 'freedom of speech'

The British media regulator Ofcom has determined that the TV personality Piers Morgan did not violate its broadcast code when he accused Meghan Markle of lying about suicidal thoughts, which led to a record number of complaints.

On Wednesday, Ofcom declared that although Piers Morgan’s disregard for Meghan Markle’s mental health and well-being was worrying, he should not be censored for saying he did not believe in the Duchess of Sussex.

Ofcom stated that the comments do not violate the broadcast code. “Our decision is that the program generally contained sufficient challenge to provide adequate protection and context to its viewers," said the regulator, noting the objections his colleagues had sent to Morgan in the air.

The regulator said its code allows strongly held and robustly argued views to be broadcast, even if they are considered “Harmful or very offensive."

“The restriction of such views would, in our view, be an unjustified and refrigerated restriction on freedom of expression for both television and the public," it said.

Morgan took to Twitter to share his “Joy” after what he called Ofcoms “approval.” “This is a resounding victory for freedom of speech and a resounding defeat for Princess Pinocchios. Do I get my job back? ” he wrote.

Ofcom’s verdict came after Morgan criticized Markle on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’ in March, after she told Oprah Winfrey in an interview that she had felt suicidal while living as a British royal.

The day after the interview was broadcast, the British presenter claimed he did not “Believe in a word she said," adds that he “Wouldn’t believe it if she read a weather forecast for me."

He also hit her general criticism of the royals: “The fact that she has fired this attack on our royal family, I think is contemptible."

The comments generated a huge backlash, with more than 50,000 complaints registered with the regulator. Morgan also left his role at the TV station after the incident.

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