The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) is launching an investigation into Jeremy Clarkson’s article in The Sun about the Duchess of Sussex.
The UK’s newspaper and magazine regulator said it had received more than 25,100 complaints about the piece, in which the presenter said he “hated” the Duchess of Sussex.
The regulator said it was taking forward two groups of complaints, from The Fawcett Society and the Wilde Foundation, which claim they were affected by breaches in accuracy, harassment and discrimination.
Clarkson wrote in his column, published in December as the couple shared their headline-grabbing Netflix documentary series, 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”.
The 62-year-old’s remarks sparked a huge backlash, with his daughter, Emily, as well as many others, speaking out against him.
His column became the most complained about ever and was removed from The Sun’s website at his request, with the publisher apologising.
Clarkson also addressed the backlash towards the imagery used in his piece, which he said was a reference to a scene in the television series Game of Thrones.
He wrote: “Oh dear. I’ve rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game Of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people.
“I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future.”
In a later statement, the presenter described his language as “disgraceful” and that he was “profoundly sorry.”
He also revealed he had emailed the couple to apologise over his piece.
However, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dismissed the apology saying it was part of “a series of articles shared in hate”.
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They also said that Clarkson “wrote solely to Prince Harry”.
It comes after it was reported that Amazon Prime Video is likely to cut ties with the TV host following the backlash over his column.
The streaming service has worked with Clarkson since 2015, with the TV star hosting hit shows The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm.
Diddly Squat Farm was featured on Amazon Prime series. Pic: Amazon Prime Video
Series two of Clarkson’s Farm will launch as planned in February, while the next series of The Grand Tour is still set to launch later in 2023.
However, as first reported by US entertainment site Variety, it is understood Amazon could stop working with the star beyond seasons of the shows that have already been commissioned.
Clarkson, who also presents ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, admitted in his second statement that both broadcasters were “incandescent” over his column.
