Clarkson’s column is the most complained about ever.
The UK press watchdog is launching an investigation into Jeremy Clarkson’s column in The Sun about the Duchess of Sussex.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) said it has received more than 25,100 complaints about the December article, in which Clarkson said he “hated” Meghan Markle on a “cellular level”.
We are investigating two group complaints concerning a column by Jeremy Clarkson in The Sun. We received more than 25,100 complaints about this column published in December 2022. Read more here: https://t.co/wIcmK0K4fK pic.twitter.com/LQNR9QEmni
— Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) (@IpsoNews) February 9, 2023
The former Top Gear host wrote that he was “dreaming of the day when [Meghan] is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while crowds chant, ‘Shame!’ and throw lumps of excrement at her” and said he disliked her more than murderer Rose West.
It went on to become the article with the most number of complaints attached to it since IPSO’s establishment in 2014.
The press dog has said it will publish the findings of its investigation when they are reached.
The Sun later deleted the column at Clarkson’s request. Earlier this month the former Top Gear host issued an apology to Meghan and Harry, which they rejected.
“While a new public apology has been issued today by Mr Clarkson, what remains to be addressed is his long-standing pattern of writing articles that spread hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories, and misogyny,” the couple said in a statement.
Last week, it was reported that a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? celebrity special was shelved after female stars refused to work with host Clarkson over the scandal.
While ITV is contractually required to go ahead with the regular version of the show, there are reportedly “no further commissioning commitments”, meaning Clarkson, who has hosted the show since 2018, may not continue in the role.
A petition calling on ITV CEO Carolyn McCall for him to keep his job as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has now surpassed 63,000 signatures.
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