a column in The Sun newspaper The British press watchdog has found that imagining seeing Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan, being pelted with feces while parading naked through the streets, was sexist.
A December column written by TV personality Jeremy Clarkson described how he hated the Duchess of Sussex “on a cellular level”. He said she used “vivid bedroom promises” to turn Harry into a “vigilant warrior” and controlled him like a sock puppet.
Edward Foulkes, chair of the Independent Press Standards Organization, said: “The images used by the columnist in this article were demeaning and demeaning to the Duchess.” The purpose of IPSO is to protect the public and freedom of expression by upholding high editorial standards. In this case, The Sun fails to meet these criteria.”
The independent organisation, which most British newspapers, magazines and digital news outlets voluntarily commit to subject to regulation, found that multiple “pejorative and biased” references to Meghan’s gender breached its editors’ code.
The findings stated that “stereotypes about women using their sexuality to exert influence … imply that the Duchess’s sexuality – rather than any other advantage or achievement – is the source of her strength”.
The article inspired a record number of complaints to the regulator, which asked the paper to inform its readers of the findings released late Friday.
The newspaper printed the headline “Jeremy Clarkson: IPSO Complaint” at the bottom of its front page on Saturday and directed readers to a summary of the report where Clarkson’s column usually appears on page 17. The newspaper removed the column and apologized in December.
Clarkson, who made his name as the combative host of the BBC car show “Top Gear” and hosts the motoring show “The Grand Tour” on Amazon, said he felt “terrified” after the setback. He apologized and promised to be more careful.
Clarkson’s daughter was among those who blew up the shaft. “I stand against everything my father wrote about Meghan Markle and I still stand in support of those targeted with hate online,” Emily Clarkson posted on Instagram.
Jeremy Clarkson said the image of him dreaming of Meghan being publicly disgraced was a “clumsy reference” to a scene in “Game of Thrones”.
The column is followed by a file version Six-part Netflix documentary About Harry and Megan’s acrimonious separation from the British royal family. The couple resigned from their royal duties and moved to California in 2020, citing a lack of support from the palace and the press’ treatment of Meghan, which smacks of racism.
The press regulator dismissed complaints that the column was inaccurate, harassed Meghan or discriminated against on the basis of race.
Harry had called the article “appalling, hurtful and cruel” and said the column would encourage misogyny.
Meghan has not formally complained about the report but has not contested the investigation, which was launched after the Fawcett Association, a gender equality group, and the Wilde Foundation, a charity that supports female victims of abuse, both lodged complaints.
The Fawcett Society praised the findings, which were the first by IPSO to support complaints of sexism.
said Jemima Olczewski, chief executive of the Fawcett Association.