The Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) in the UK has received more than 12,000 complaints over an article written by Jeremy Clarkson about the Duchess of Sussex.
The figure is 2,000 shy of the total number of complaints the media regulator received in 2021, which was 14,355.
A spokesperson for Ipso said the complaints were being assessed in accordance with its standard procedure.
The news comes as Clarkson faces a backlash over the article, published in The Sun last Friday, from high-profile figures including Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Carol Vorderman, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The broadcaster has apologised for what he wrote.
In the piece, Clarkson wrote that he "hated" Meghan and dreamed of her being paraded through British towns and publicly shamed, adding that "everyone who's my age thinks the same way".
It follows the recent broadcast of Harry and Meghan's explosive six-part Netflix documentary, in which the couple made allegations of mistreatment by the royal family.
Oh dear. I've rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people. I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 19, 2022
Speaking to broadcasters on Monday, Ms Sturgeon said Clarkson's comments about the duchess were "beyond the pale".
"I think what he said about Meghan Markle was deeply misogynist and just downright awful and horrible," she said.
"I have to say, taking a step back from it, my overwhelming emotion about guys like Jeremy Clarkson is pity.
"I mean, what is it that makes somebody so distorted by hate that they end up writing these things?
"I think that possibly gives an insight into Jeremy Clarkson and the kind of person he is.
"So maybe he just needs to take a step back from things and just think about life a bit more."
Jeremy Clarkson.His wonderful daughter Emily has just put out a statement on her instagram account. "I stand against everything that my Dad wrote about Meghan Markle". FYI Emily has spoken many times about how she suffered very badly from online abuse when she was younger. 💪🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/pcVUgvlQQ0
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) December 18, 2022
Clarkson's daughter, Emily Clarkson, said in an online post that she is "against everything that my dad wrote".
"My views are and have always been clear when it comes to misogyny, bullying and the treatment of women by the media," she said, in a statement shared on her Instagram story.
"I want to make it very clear that I stand against everything that my dad wrote about Meghan Markle and I remain standing in support of those that are targeted with online hatred."
Former Countdown host Carol Vorderman said Clarkson's comments were unacceptable "in any circumstance".
"NO Jeremy Clarkson. Not on any level, in any circumstance, is it ok to write this stuff about any woman & absolutely NO to 'everyone who's my age thinks the same’," she wrote.
"No no no. We absolutely do NOT think the same. Listen to the noise Jeremy. The crowds are chanting ‘shame on YOU’."
NO Jeremy Clarkson. Not on any level, in any circumstance, is it ok to write this stuff about any woman & absolutely NO to "everyone who's my age thinks the same"
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) December 18, 2022
No no no. We absolutely do NOT think the same.
Listen to the noise Jeremy. The crowds are chanting "shame on YOU" pic.twitter.com/OzCt9lHG16
Mr Khan said Clarkson's remarks were "dangerous and inexcusable", writing: "As Jeremy Clarkson should well know – words have consequences.
"The words in his piece are no joke – they're dangerous and inexcusable.
"We are in an epidemic of violence against women and girls and men with powerful voices must do better than this."
In his apology, Clarkson tweeted: "Oh dear. I've rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game Of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people. I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future."
As well as Top Gear, Clarkson, 62, is known for his Amazon motoring show, The Grand Tour, which he presents alongside Richard Hammond and James May, as well as ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
A statement on The Sun's website said: "In light of Jeremy Clarkson's tweet he has asked us to take last week's column down."
Source: Press Association
