British television presenter Jeremy Clarkson says he is "horrified to have caused so much hurt" after a column he wrote in the Sun about Prince Harry's wife Meghan has become the press standards regulator's most complained about article.
In a column published on Friday, Clarkson (62), who gained worldwide fame as presenter of motoring show Top Gear, wrote of Meghan: "I hate her. Not like I hate (Scottish First Minister) Nicola Sturgeon or (serial killer) Rose West. I hate her on a cellular level.
"At night, I’m unable to sleep as I lie there, grinding my teeth and dreaming of the day when she is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, 'Shame!' and throw lumps of excrement at her."
In a six-part Netflix documentary series which concluded last week, Meghan spoke about her treatment by the media leaving her feeling suicidal.
In a statement posted on Twitter on Monday, Clarkson said: "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," added Clarkson, who is known for being outspoken and controversial.
Britain's press standards regulator, the Independent Press Standards Organisation, said it had received more than 17,500 complaints so far, the most about any article since it was established in 2014.
More than 60 MPs signed a letter written by Caroline Nokes, chair of parliament's Women and Equalities Select Committee, to the editor of the Sun warning such articles contribute to a climate of hatred and violence against women.
"Enough is enough. We cannot allow this type of behaviour to go unchecked any longer," said the letter, which was posted on Twitter by Nokes. "We now demand action is taken against Mr Clarkson and an unreserved apology is issued to Ms Markle immediately."
In a tweet, Scottish National Party MP John Nicolson said Clarkson's comments about Meghan and Sturgeon were "grotesque" and wanted the presenter, who works for ITV, taken off the air.
