A spokeswoman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has said an apology by The Sun newspaper over a column, in which Jeremy Clarkson said he “hated” Meghan, is “nothing more than a PR stunt”.
In the column, which was published in The Sun newspaper and online on Friday 17 December, Clarkson wrote that he dreamt of the day the Duchess of Sussex would be made to parade naked through Britain while a crowd chanted “shame” and threw “excrement” at her.
The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? hostclaimed that “everyone who’s my age thinks the same way”.
The article attracted criticism from high-profile figures, politicians, and Clarkson’s own daughter, Emily Clarkson.
More than 60 cross-party MPs wrote to The Sun’s editor to demand an apology and “action taken” against Clarkson. The SNP’s shadow culture minister also called for Clarkson to be banned from TV altogether.
An apology was issued by the publication on Thursday 22 December.
In a statement, the newspaper said: “Columnists’ opinions are their own, but as a publisher, we realise that with free expression comes responsibility.
“We at The Sun regret the publication of this article and we are sincerely sorry.”
Writing on Twitter earlier that week, Clarkson said he was “horrified to have caused so much hurt” following the backlash and that he would “be more careful in future”.
Ipso said the piece, which was removed from The Sun’s website at Clarkson’s request, had received more than 17,500 complaints as of 9am on Tuesday 20 December – rising to 20,800 by 5pm.
More to follow
