"I called Kevin back, said I wouldn't be apologising, and we agreed I'd leave GMB with immediate effect."
Piers Morgan said ITV 'ordered' him to apologise for remarks made about Meghan Markle, but he refused - quitting Good Morning Britain before bosses could sack him.
After Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which Markle opened up about experiencing suicidal thoughts during her lowest moments in Britain, Morgan said he "didn't believe a word she said."
Understandably, this proved controversial with over 41,000 people complaining to Ofcom about the remarks.
The mental health charity Mind expressed concern about Morgan's comments.
https://twitter.com/MindCharity/status/1369003597103529985?s=20
Many called for Piers Morgan to be sacked. He was reportedly pressured to issue an apology, but refused.
A formal complaint was then lodged by representatives of Meghan Markle, and Morgan's departure from Good Morning Britain soon followed.
In a statement, ITV said: "Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain.
"ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add."
Now, the 55-year-old has revealed exactly what happened in a tell-all interview with
The Sunday Times.
Morgan claimed that speaking in
The Sunday Times allowed him to "finally" have his say, even though users of social media can attest to the fact he's been having his say on an almost hourly basis on Twitter since departing Good Morning Britain.
https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1375731422258995201?s=20
In this explosive new interview, Morgan said:
"Mid-afternoon, Kevin Lygo, ITV's Director of Television, who I'd spoken to several times since yesterday (March 8th), rang to say we were now 'on the cliff edge' and either I apologised, or I would have to leave GMB.
"I appreciated his directness - we've always had a very open, honest and humorous relationship - and said I'd call him back when I'd thought it over.
"I went for a walk and spoke to a couple of close, trusted friends. One thought I should just apologise, take the hit and move on. The other was emphatic: don't apologise."
What followed was a moment of "total clarity", Morgan said.
"F**k it, I wasn't going to apologise for disbelieving Meghan Markle, because the truth is that I don't believe Meghan Markle.
"And in a free, democratic society, I should be allowed not to believe someone, and to say that I don't believe them.
"That, surely, is the very essence of freedom of speech?"
Morgan then took aim at what he perceives to be the "woke brigade" baying for his blood.
"If I said I now believed Meghan, I would be lying to the audience, the very thing I've accused her of doing.
"And even if I did apologise, that wouldn't be the end of it. The woke brigade would keep coming for me, demanding I apologise for everything else they find offensive - which of course, is absolutely everything.
"I called Kevin back, said I wouldn't be apologising, and we agreed I'd leave GMB with immediate effect."
