Ed Balls lays into Jeremy Clarkson over Meghan Markle apology

The former MP criticised Clarkson's long-awaited apology

Sam Moore
Updated ·2-min read

Watch: Ed Balls criticises Jeremy Clarkson's column apology

Ed Balls has laid into Jeremy Clarkson over his most recent apology to Meghan Markle which he called "weak".

Yesterday, the former Top Gear host said he was "profoundly sorry" for his column in The Sun newspaper in which he said he "hated" Markle.

Discussing the apology on Good Morning Britain, Balls did not have much time for the controversial broadcaster, saying: "I just wonder here whether we are talking too much about Jeremy Clarkson."

Read more: Jeremy Clarkson and Amazon 'set to part ways' after Meghan Markle row

He added: "Look, the column was awful, big deal awful, and the apology is weak. And, let’s be honest, Jeremy Clarkson is a ridiculous figure."

Ed Balls laid into Jeremy Clarkson over his Meghan Markle apology. (Shutterstock/ITV)
Ed Balls laid into Jeremy Clarkson over his Meghan Markle apology. (Shutterstock/ITV)

The former politician did also think Harry and Meghan would have been wise to accept the apology: "I just wonder whether this might have been the opportunity for Harry and Meghan to get to the high ground."

Following Clarkson's apology, Harry and Meghan released a statement, taking aim at the content of the Grand Tour presenter's writing: "While a new public apology has been issued today by Mr Clarkson, what remains to be addressed is his long standing pattern of writing articles that spread hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories, and misogyny."

ITV TO SHOW UK EXCLUSIVE PRINCE HARRY INTERVIEW WITH TOM BRADBY PRODUCED BY ITN PRODUCTIONS HARRY: THE INTERVIEW Sunday January 8th at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex interviewed by Tom Bradby in California. ITV will show an exclusive interview with Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, next Sunday in which he will talk in-depth to Tom Bradby, journalist and ITV News at Ten presenter, covering a range of subjects including his personal relationships, never-before-heard details surrounding the death of his mother, Diana, and a look ahead at his future. The 90 minute programme, produced by ITN Productions for ITV, will be broadcast two days before Prince Harry’s autobiography ‘Spare’ is published on 10 January, by Transworld. The book has been billed by publisher Penguin Random House as “a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief”. Filmed in California, where Harry now lives, Harry: The Interview, sees the Prince go into unprecedented depth and detail on life in and out of the Royal Family. Speaking to Tom Bradby, who he has known for more than 20 years, Prince Harry shares his personal story, in his own words. Michael Jermey, ITV Director of News and Current Affairs, said: “It is extremely rare for a member of the Royal Family to speak so openly about their experience at the heart of the institution. “Tom Bradby’s interview with Prince Harry will be a programme that everyone with an informed opinion on the monarchy should want to watch.
Prince Harry addressed Jeremy Clarkson's column in his ITV interview. (ITV)

Clarkson posted his apology on Instagram, replying to the controversy caused by the initial column when it was printed on 16 December before later being taken down: "I really am sorry. All the way from the balls of my feet to the follicles on my head. This is me putting my hands up. Its a mea culpa with bells on."

Clarkson also revealed that Amazon were "incandescant" with his comments and Variety have reported that the company will not be extending their deal with him, meaning the next seasons of The Grand Tour and Clarkson's Farm will be the last.

Watch below: Royal spokesperson accuses Jeremy Clarkson of spreading 'hate rhetoric'

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