Piers Morgan: Ofcom clears presenter over 'combative' interviews

Piers Morgan will not be investigated by Ofcom for "combative" interviews with government ministers that led to around 4,000 complaints.

More than 3,200 of the complaints to the media regulator about the controversial Good Morning Britain presenter related to two interviews with Care Minister Helen Whately earlier this month.

An additional 600 complaints concerned an interview with Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Ofcom said "viewers would expect him to challenge senior politicians and hold them to account".

Piers Morgan will not be investigated by Ofcom.

Morgan is "well known for his combative interviewing style", the television watchdog said.

"His guests were given adequate opportunity to put their points across and counter the presenter's criticisms," a statement said.

"In Ofcom's view, in line with freedom of expression, it is clearly in the public interest that broadcasters are able to hold those making political decisions to account, particularly during a major national crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic."

Responding to the news, Morgan wrote on Instagram: "Thank you to everyone that supported me".

Whately first appeared on Good Morning Britain on 15 April to discuss developments on coronavirus testing, the lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) and care home deaths.

"You've come back on this programme after what many thought was a trainwreck interview last week because you didn't know these numbers, and you still don't know," Morgan told her.

Whately claimed he was being "unreasonable" and that "the problem is you keep on interrupting".

The care minister accused Morgan of "attempting to score points".

During Mr Hancock's appearance on Good Morning Britain, he accused Morgan of constantly interrupting him.

Ofcom received a further 266 complaints from seven of Morgan's political interviews during April.

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