Despite receiving more than 1,500 complaints, the British television network ITV says Piers Morgan comments about a commercial advertising the state milk in China “were “not intended to mock or denigrate Chinese people, their language or accent” but “were intended to mock a member of the Royal Family,” reports Manchester Evening News.
The commercial featured the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, Peter Phillips.
Morgan said in a faux Chinese accent on his program Good Morning Britain “At the next royal event, can you imagine Christmas at Sandringham is like – ‘I’m sorry your majesty, but I only drink yang yank yong ying ming milk.”
Morgan’s co-host Susanna Reid buried her face in her hand in reaction to his remarks, simply uttering “Piers.”
Later she described Morgan’s actions as “rather 1970s.”
According to ATV, this is ITV’s first remarks on the incident.
“These comments were intended to mock a member of the Royal Family and were not intended to mock or denigrate Chinese people, their language or accent,” the statement read.
“ITV regrets any offense Piers’ comments may unintentionally have caused.”
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