Piers Morgan doubles down on Duchess Meghan's Oprah interview: 'I still don't' believe her

Piers Morgan stands by his comments he made Monday on ITV's "Good Morning Britain" about Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey that led to his departure from the show Tuesday.

The ex-host took to Twitter Wednesday to defend his original statements that he didn't "believe a word" Meghan said in Sunday's two-hour long, revelatory interview about her experience with the monarchy. The two most toxic allegations she made in the interview concerned her description of the palace's cold indifference to her mental stress, and their claim that an unnamed royal family member expressed "concern" about "how dark" their son Archie's skin would be.

Sharing a picture of a Winston Churchill quote, Morgan wrote: "On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t."

"If you did, OK. Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on," he added. "I’m off to spend more time with my opinions."

ITV confirmed Morgan's departure from the program in a Tuesday statement to USA TODAY: "Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave 'Good Morning Britain.' ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add."

Morgan's words spark complaints and an investigation

The U.K.'s Office of Communication reported receiving more than 41,000 complaints from the public regarding Morgan's comments on the interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe her if she read me a weather report," Morgan said. "The fact that she's fired up this onslaught against our royal family, I think is contemptible."

The next day, Morgan stormed off the set of the program following a heated discussion with a fellow presenter about Harry and Meghan’s allegations about racism in the royal family.

"We have launched an investigation into Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain under our harm and offence rules," the communications spokesperson told USA TODAY Tuesday.

The Duchess of Sussex also issued a complaint to Britain’s ITV about presenter Piers Morgan’s comments on her interview with Oprah Winfrey, the channel’s news operation reported.

ITV did not cite a source acknowledging Meghan’s complaint. Britain’s Press Association also reported the matter, without citing a source.

USA TODAY reached out to Meghan's spokesperson and declined to comment.

More: 'I didn't want to be alive anymore': Duchess Meghan opens up in Oprah interview, more major moments

More: Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan's shocking interview: Hillary Clinton, Serena Williams, Oprah react

Jameela Jamil speaks out against Piers Morgan

Celebrities commented on Morgan's departure from "Good Morning Britain" on Twitter, both supporting him and telling their own stories of alleged harassment from the former host.

"The Good Place" actress Jameela Jamil, who has feuded with Morgan in the past, spoke out about how Morgan's words affected her in the past.

"I almost killed myself a year ago because of Piers Morgan’s relentless campaign of lies and hatred against me last February. I’m glad I’m still alive today for many reasons," she wrote.

Last February, Morgan released screenshots of a conversation with late reality TV show host Caroline Flack and accused Jamil of "online harassment."

Jamil also tweeted a gif of Morgan Tuesday writing: "May we NEVER have to watch minorities have to go on mainstream news and have to *defend* their right to be treated with dignity and respect... ever again."

More: Jameela Jamil, Piers Morgan Twitter feud reignited over Duchess Meghan's Vogue issue

Morgan did receive support from his former America's Got Talent co-judge Sharon Osbourne.

".@piersmorgan I am with you. I stand by you," Osbourne tweeted Tuesday morning. "People forget that you’re paid for your opinion and that you’re just speaking your truth."

Buckingham Palace responds to Harry, Meghan interview

Before ITV announced Morgan's exit Tuesday, Buckingham Palace issued a four-sentence response to the Winfrey interview, saying the couple's accusations of racism and lack of support are taken "very seriously" and will be addressed by the royal family "privately."

"The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," the palace's statement read. "While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."

More: Queen Elizabeth responds to Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview, will address allegations 'privately'

'The U.K. media is not bigoted': More press faces backlash

Along with Morgan, the furor has also claimed the job of Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors. The new media umbrella group released a strongly worded defense of the press after Harry and Meghan’s interview, saying “the U.K. media is not bigoted and will not be swayed from its vital role holding the rich and powerful to account.”

That prompted a backlash. Top editors of The Guardian, the Financial Times and HuffPost UK took issue with the statement, while 160 reporters and editors signed a letter saying the Society of Editors was “in denial” about racism.

ITV News anchor Charlene White, the first Black woman to present the network’s main evening news program, pulled out of hosting the society’s annual Press Awards, saying the organization asked her to get involved to improve its diversity but failed to live up to its words.

“Since the Black Lives Matter movement really took hold in the U.K. last year, every single institution in this country has had to finally look at its failings and its position in terms of how they treat ethnic minorities both inside and outside of its walls,” White told the society in a statement. “But for some unknown reason, you feel as though the U.K. press is exempt in that discussion.”

On Wednesday, Murray stepped down, acknowledging his statement “could have been much clearer in its condemnation of bigotry and has clearly caused upset.”

Contributing: Maria Puente and The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Piers Morgan doesn't believe Meghan Markle, Jameela Jamil speaks out