A representative for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claims that the Sun’s apologies for Jeremy Clarkson’s piece in which he claimed to “loathe” Meghan is “nothing more than a PR stunt.”
More than 20,000 people have contacted the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) regarding the column, making it the most complained about story.
Clarkson requested that the piece be taken down from the Sun’s website on Monday after it received harsh criticism.
According to Clarkson’s statement in the column, he was “dreaming of the day when she [Meghan] is ordered to march naked through the streets of every town in Britain as the crowds cry, “Shame!” and throw lumps of excrement at her.”
In the article, which was released on Friday, December 16, following the premiere of the Netflix docuseries Meghan & Harry, he also said that he despised the Duchess of Sussex “on a cellular level.”
Following the backlash, Clarkson released a statement on Monday, although some condemned it for not expressing an apology.
The Sun was accused of making money off of and exploiting “hatred, violence, and misogyny,” according to a spokeswoman for the couple.
They stated that “a true apology would be a shift in their coverage and ethical standards for all.”
“We’re not holding our breath, unfortunately.”
According to the spokeswoman, Clarkson’s remarks were “dangerous”, adding: “The fact that the Sun has not contacted The Duchess of Sussex to apologise shows their intent. This is nothing more than a PR stunt.”
The Sun expressed its apology and “sincere regret” for publishing the broadcaster’s column on Friday.
It stated that although columnists’ ideas were their own, “free expression comes with responsibility” as a publisher.
Following the criticism, Clarkson acknowledged in a tweet that he had used a “clumsy” reference to a Game of Thrones moment that “has gone down badly with a great many people.”
In other parts of the post, Clarkson equated his animosity for the Duchess of Sussex with his sentiments for serial killer Rose West and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.