Under-fire TV host Piers Morgan has addressed the backlash to his comments about Meghan Markle on Good Morning Britain.
During Monday's show, ahead of the UK screening of the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview on ITV, Piers said he didn't believe that the Duchess of Sussex had suicidal thoughts.
On Tuesday morning he said he still has 'serious concerns about the veracity of a lot of what she said.'
But he said mental health and suicide should be taken 'extremely seriously' and if someone is feeling that way they should get the treatment and help.
And he questioned why Prince Harry could not have got Meghan the help she needed.
The outspoken breakfast show presenter was criticised by the mental health charity Mind after he said: "Who did you go to? What did they say to you? I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says, Meghan Markle."
And he went on: "I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report.
"The fact that she’s fired up this onslaught against our Royal family I think is contemptible."
People called for the broadcast regulator Ofcom to conduct a formal investigation into his words.
And on Tuesday's show Piers responded to the criticism.
“When we talked about this yesterday I said as an all-encompassing thing I don’t believe what Meghan Markle is saying generally in this interview and I still have serious concerns about the veracity of a lot of what she said.
"But let me just state for the record on my position on mental illness and on suicide.
"On mental illness and suicide these are clearly extremely serious things and should be taken extremely seriously and if someone is feeling that way they should get the treatment and the help they need every time. Every time.
"And if they belong to an institution like the Royal family and they go and seek that help they should absolutely be given it."
He continued: “It's not for me to question if she felt suicidal, I am not in her mind and that is for her to say.
"My real concern was a disbelief frankly and I’m prepared to be proven wrong on this and if I'm wrong it is a scandal, that she went to a senior member of the royal household and told them she was suicidal and was told she could not have any help because it would be a bad look for the family.
"If that is true a) that person should be fired and b) The Royal family have serious questions that need to be answered.
“But I would also throw into the mix, that Prince Harry himself belongs to the top of several mental health charities.
"It does raise the question to me - he has sought help himself - he has talked about that openly -why could he not in that eventuality have gone and got Meghan the help she needed maybe via the charities he represents."
Describing her experiences with suicidal thoughts with Oprah, Meghan felt 'ashamed' when admitting them.
"Look, I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it, to Harry especially, because I know how much loss he's suffered."
She claimed that she had told senior officials she needed help but her request was declined because it "wouldn't be good for the institution."
When asked if he went to palace officials and senior members of the royal family for help, Harry said he was 'ashamed' of admitting it to them.
Mind posted a statement on Twitter ahead of the UK airing of the interview on Monday night saying they were 'in conversations' with ITV which launched a Be Kind campaign with its flagship morning show This Morning and has led the mental wellness campaign Britain Get Talking since 2019.
"We were disappointed and concerned to see Piers Morgan's comments about not believing Meghan Markle's experiences about suicidal thoughts today," the charity said.
"It's vital that when people reach out for support or share their experiences of ill mental health that they are treated with dignity, respect and empathy.
"We are in conversations with ITV about this at the moment."
They added: "If you or anyone you know is feeling impacted by the discussions that have taken place today please reach out for support using signposts in the thread below."
In astonishing scenes on Tuesday morning Piers stormed off the Good Morning Britain set and declared "I can't do this" after co-star Alex Beresford called out the 55-year-old for how he has acted against Meghan.
Weatherman Alex said Piers' behaviour towards her was 'absolutely diabolical'.
Referring to claims that Piers previously spoke to Meghan but that she 'dropped him' once she began dating Prince Harry, Alex responded: "She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to.
"Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don't think she has.
"Yet you continue to trash her."
Speaking about the couple's interview with Oprah Winfrey and their decision to leave the UK, Alex said: "They have had an overwhelming amount of negative press.
"I watched it again yesterday and yes they had some great press around the wedding, but everything that has followed since has been damaging to Meghan’s mental health."
