The Sun has apologized after British television personality Jeremy Clarkson published a column about Meghan Markle, which it condemned as “profoundly misogynistic”.
The British tabloid published Clarkson’s article on December 16, a day after the release of the second half of the episodes of Markle and Prince Harry’s acclaimed Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, in which the couple reveal new behind-the-scenes information about their treatment by both the British press and the royal family, ultimately leading to her separation from royal life.
The former Top Gear presenter wrote in his column that Prince Harry is “controlled” by Markle and that he “dreams of the day when she will be forced to roam the streets of every city in Britain naked while the crowd ‘ Shame! ‘ and throw clumps of excrement at her.”
On Friday, the newspaper apologized for publishing the column and removed the article from its website and archives. In a post on her website, she noted that the column “had generated a strong response and resulted in a large number of complaints to IPSO, the independent press regulator.”
reported that it generated 6,000 complaints three days after publication.
“Columnists’ opinions are their own, but as editors we know that with free speech comes responsibility. At The Sun, we regret the publication of this article and we sincerely apologize,” the statement read in part.
The column – which targets Markle, as she and Prince Harry commonly describe it when discussing UK tabloids in Harry & Meghan – received quick backlash, including from Clarkson’s daughter, podcast host Emily Clarkson, who said: “My views are and have always been clear when it comes to misogyny, bullying and the treatment of women by the media. I want to make it very clear that I oppose everything my dad has written about Meghan Markle and I continue to stand with those who are being targeted with online hate.”
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who the column also referred to as someone Clarkson “hates on a “cellular level”,” called the play “deeply misogynistic”. She told the Times, “I think what he said about Meghan Markle was deeply misogynistic and just awful and awful.”
On Monday, Clarkson addressed the response but did not apologize. “Oh dear. I put my foot in it rather. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I awkwardly referred to a scene in Game of Thrones, and that went down badly with a lot of people. I’m horrified, so for having done a lot of damage and I will be more careful going forward,” he wrote on Twitter of referencing Cersei’s (Lena Headey) memorable moment in Game of Thrones.
Clarkson, who was sacked as presenter of the BBC’s car show in 2015 after punching a producer, is the star of the Amazon Prime Video series The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm and also hosts Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? for ITV. ITV said there are no plans to take any action after the column, while Amazon is yet to comment on the upcoming season.