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Good Morning Britain hit with Ofcom complaints over Thomas Markle interview on daughter Meghan
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Good Morning Britain has been hit with complaints submitted by viewers to Ofcom in relation to Thomas Markle’s recent interview about his daughter Meghan Markle and son-in-law Prince Harry on the ITV programme.
On October 19, Thomas, 77, appeared on GMB, where he spoke about his desire to see his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.
Speaking about his estrangement from his daughter the Duchess of Sussex, Thomas said: ‘This is way too childish, it’s kind of silly. It’s time to talk to each other, those kids will grow up without knowing they have two families.’
He continued to slam the duke and duchess during the interview, claiming that everything they’re doing ‘is for money’.
It has since emerged that on October 19, communications regulator Ofcom received 55 complaints about GMB.
The watchdog confirmed to Metro.co.uk that the complaints were in relation to Thomas’ appearance.
Thomas has spoken out about his daughter and son-in-law on several occasions (Picture: Getty/Rex)
Following Thomas’ appearance on GMB, several Twitter users criticised his remarks, with one questioning why he was being given airtime on the show.
‘I’m appalled he’s selling his daughter out again, once a parent always a parent. This isn’t the way to repair the breakdown in their relationship,’ one person said.
‘Don’t think this latest interview is going to help his case at all. It needs to be dealt with in a private manner between them. Very sad situation though for both of them,’ someone else commented.
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During the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired earlier this year, Meghan opened up about her relationship with her dad.
When asked by Oprah whether she felt betrayed by her father, the former Suits actor responded: ‘If were going to use the word betrayal, it’s because when I asked him, when the comms team told us this the story was coming out, we called my dad and I asked him and he said, “No, absolutely not.”’
Meghan said that she asked her dad to tell her the ‘truth’ so they could ‘help’.
More: Prince Harry
‘And he didn’t do that, and that for me has really resonated as a mother,’ she continued. ‘And also me saying full stop, if we use this to protect you we won’t be able to protect our grandchildren one day.
‘I look at Archie and I can’t imagine doing anything to hurt my child. I can’t reconcile that.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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What is Ofcom and what does it cover?
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.
The watchdog makes sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.
Ofcom deals with most content on television, radio and video-on-demand services, including the BBC. However, if your complaint is about something you saw or heard in a BBC programme, you may need to complain to the BBC first.
Its rules for television and radio programmes are set out in the Broadcasting Code.
The rules in the Broadcasting Code also apply to the BBC iPlayer.
This Broadcasting Code is the rule book that broadcasters have to follow and it covers a number of areas, including; protecting the under-18s, protecting audiences from harmful and/or offensive material and ensuring that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
Audiences can complain to Ofcom if they believe a breach of the Broadcasting Code has been made.
Every time Ofcom receives a complaint from a viewer or listener, they assess it to see if it needs further investigation.
If Ofcom decide to investigate, they will include the case in a list of new investigations, published in the Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin.
An investigation is a formal process which can take some time depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
Ofcom can also launch investigations in the absence of a complaint from a viewer or listener.
