The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been 'vindicated' by the Royal family's silence over a hate-filled column about Meghan by Jeremy Clarkson that was published in The Sun, say supporters of the couple.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) has received more than 12,000 complaints about the article that was published on Friday. The former Top Gear presenter claimed that he hated Meghan more than a convicted serial killer - who he bizarrely equivalated with Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgen.
Clarkson wrote that he hated Meghan "not like I hate Nicola Sturgeon or Rose West", but that he hates her "on a cellular level". He also said he lies awake at night "dreaming of the day when she is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, 'Shame!' and throw lumps of excrement at her."
Clarkson has since said he is "horrified" over hurt caused by the article after he "made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones" that has "gone down badly with a great many people". And he vowed “be more careful in future” after the piece, attracted criticism from high-profile figures and his own daughter.
Those criticising Clarkson’s piece included Nicola Sturgeon, Carol Vorderman, Sir Philip Pullman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. And Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "What is it that makes somebody so distorted by hate that they end up writing these things?
“I think that possibly gives an insight into Jeremy Clarkson and the kind of person he is. So maybe he just needs to take a step back from things and just think about life a bit more.”
However, Buckingham Palace and members of the Royal Family have not yet publicly condemend the article. And supporters of the Sussexes say this silence vindicates the couple - and claim it proves they "told the truth" in the Netflix docuseries 'Harry and Meghan.'
In the series, Prince Harry accused the royal household of deliberately planting negative stories about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to deflect from less favourable coverage of other royals as part of “a war against Meghan”. He also claimed that people within the Royal 'Instituition' were “happy to lie” to protect his brother, the Prince of Wales, but “were never willing to tell the truth to protect us.".
The claims came as Prince Harry said he knew nothing about a joint statement from Kensington Palace denying his brother had bullied him and his wife, Meghan Markle, out of the family until it was already released.
Meghan said in the series: "Every rumor, every negative thing, every lie, everything that I knew wasn't true and that the palace knew wasn't true and internally they knew wasn't true that was just being allowed to fester."
On Twitter, Nicola Thorpe said: "Where is the Royal Family statement on Jeremy Clarkson’s vile comments in his column? I thought the Queen Consort was outspoken on issues of misogyny?
"Will she distance herself from Clarkson…or just invite him round for dinner again? Their silence speaks volumes."
Andrew Pickering tweeted: "Given Queen Consort role on misogyny/violence, and Hussey apology, Palace missing golden opportunity on Clarkson to mend some fences with Harry and Meghan."
And at @yvylew tweeted: "It's been nearly 48hrs since that disgusting Clarkson quote was published in that rag and yet we have heard no rebuke from the Palace. Aare they complicit in condoning this?
"Come on KingCharles we are waiting! The sound of crickets are astoundingly deafening!"
Hannah Gilburt commented: "I was already pretty certain that Harry and Meghan are telling the truth but the Royal Family’s silence on the utterly disgusting Clarkson column makes me 100% sure.
"William spoke out against racist abuse against England footballers and his silence now is deafening."
- Do you think Harry and Meghan have been vindicated by the Palace's slience? Let us know in our comments section.
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