Piers Morgan escapes sanctions over Christian homophobe comment

Piers Morgan will not face sanctions after asking a Christian who opposed same-sex marriage whether he was a "homophobe".

Dozens of complaints were made against the Good Morning Britain presenter by viewers who felt the remarks were offensive and discriminatory towards Christians and implied all Christians were homophobic.

However the media watchdog Ofcom rejected the complaints.

Morgan made the comments in an interview with Richard Page, a Christian magistrate who was sacked after he voiced opposition to adoption by same-sex couples.

Page was removed by justice secretary Michael Gove and the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas in March because he was "biased and prejudiced against single sex adopters" and his views brought magistrates' courts into disrepute.

During the interview last month on ITV's breakfast show, Morgan asked Page if he was in favour of same-sex marriage. When Page replied that he was not Morgan said: "So you're a homophobe then?"

A total of 70 complaints were lodged against Morgan for his comments but Ofcom has announced it will not censure him.

"We assessed a number of complaints that Piers Morgan's tone was offensive and discriminatory towards Christians in an interview," said a spokesman for Ofcom.

"We noted that the interviewee was given several opportunities to respond. He stated he was not homophobic, and set out reasons why. Overall, the interview was balanced and we found no evidence of discrimination."

related articles
Michael Gove says his Christianity informs his justice policy: 'I believe in redemption'

Michael Gove says his Christianity informs his justice policy: 'I believe in redemption'

Christian magistrate fired for saying gay adoption 'not best for child' on TV

Christian magistrate fired for saying gay adoption 'not best for child' on TV

Sacked Christian magistrate who opposed gay adoption will sue Michael Gove
Sacked Christian magistrate who opposed gay adoption will sue Michael Gove

Sacked Christian magistrate who opposed gay adoption will sue Michael Gove

Sacked Christian magistrate now suspended from NHS trust over views on gay adoption
Sacked Christian magistrate now suspended from NHS trust over views on gay adoption

Sacked Christian magistrate now suspended from NHS trust over views on gay adoption

News
Three words that changed history: ‘Jesus became sin'
Three words that changed history: ‘Jesus became sin'

As we enter Easter, we want to centre our attention on the significance of Christ’s work of redemption for all of humanity.

Gloucester Cathedral to unveil stunning new pipe organ
Gloucester Cathedral to unveil stunning new pipe organ

Gloucester Cathedral has said that this year’s Organ Festival will be extra special, as it will see the unveiling of its brand new organ.

Religious freedom violations increasing in Nicaragua
Religious freedom violations increasing in Nicaragua

The situation has declined since 2018.

Päivi Räsänen calls for repeal of hate speech laws across Europe after shock conviction
Päivi Räsänen calls for repeal of hate speech laws across Europe after shock conviction

All copies of a decades old pamphlet are to be destroyed after Finland's former Minister of the Interior was convicted of hate speech - even though the law that convicted her did not exist at the time the pamphlet was published.