Yahoo News ITV responds to Eamonn race complaint over Meghan Markle comment
ITV has responded to a complaint regarding a comment that Eamonn Holmes previously made about Meghan Markle that was seen as racially insensitive.
Earlier in the year, the This Morning presenter was talking about the Duchess of Sussex at Wimbledon, where he said: "If you have an uppity attitude, you're only through the door two minutes and suddenly you're sitting at Wimbledon and your royal protection are saying, 'No photographs, no photographs!'"
A complaint was made to broadcast regulator Ofcom about the word 'uppity', which was historically used as an insult to black people.
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ITV have issued a statement (via The Mirror) that reads: "Eamonn Holmes was absolutely not reprimanded for his use of the word 'uppity'.
"Conversations took place with Eamonn and the wider production team involving an explanation of a possible interpretation of the word, which had come to light on the basis of a complaint made to the channel after the broadcast.
"Therefore this was a point of learning for the wider team, not in any way a rebuke."
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Ofcom's Head of Diversity Ade Rawcliffe also said: "Eamonn was unaware of the history of the term 'uppity' and how it could be interpreted when describing Meghan Markle.
"We are not saying that ignorance is in any way a defence, he was using the term to describe what he interpreted as arrogance. The origins of the term have now been explained to Eamonn and the wider editorial team and it won't be used again."
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV from 10.30am.
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