Major Controversies Surrounding Piers Morgan: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Piers Morgan.

Piers Morgan is an English journalist and media personality known for his work in the British tabloid press. He started his career at The Sun and rose to become the editor of News of the World at 29, making him the youngest national newspaper editor in over 50 years. He subsequently edited the Daily Mirror but was later dismissed. Morgan also served as editorial director for First News and editor-at-large for MailOnline's American operation, marking a diverse career in print and online media.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1939: Parody of Neville Chamberlain's declaration of war on Germany

The "Achtung Surrender!" headline was accompanied by an open letter from Morgan parodying Neville Chamberlain's declaration of war on Germany in 1939.

1995: Departure from News of the World

In 1995, Piers Morgan left his position at News of the World after publishing photographs of Catherine Victoria Lockwood, which violated the editors' code of conduct.

June 1996: "Achtung Surrender!" headline apology

In June 1996, as editor of the Daily Mirror, Piers Morgan apologized on television for the "Achtung Surrender!" headline before the England vs. Germany Euro '96 semi-final.

October 1999: Voicemail Interception Advice

During Piers Morgan's tenure, the Daily Mirror was advised by Steven Nott in October 1999 that voicemail interception was possible via standard PIN codes. The story did not feature in the Daily Mirror.

2000: Investigation Regarding Viglen Shares

In 2000, Piers Morgan was investigated after buying £20,000 worth of shares in Viglen before the Mirror's "City Slickers" column tipped it, leading to a breach of conduct finding but retention of his job.

September 2002: Morgan explains phone hacking

In May 2012, Jeremy Paxman recalled a lunch with Piers Morgan in September 2002 at which Morgan outlined the means of hacking a mobile phone voicemail.

2002: Alleged publication of hacked story.

In July 2011, political blogger Paul Staines alleged that while editor of the Daily Mirror in 2002 Morgan published a story concerning the affair of Sven-Göran Eriksson and Ulrika Jonsson while knowing it to have been obtained by phone hacking.

October 2003: Clarkson pours water over Morgan

In October 2003, Jeremy Clarkson poured a glass of water over Piers Morgan on the last flight of Concorde in response to photographs published in the Mirror.

2003: Interview with Charlotte Church

In 2003, Piers Morgan explained to Charlotte Church how to avoid journalists listening to answerphone messages.

March 2004: Clarkson punches Morgan

In March 2004, Jeremy Clarkson punched Piers Morgan three times during an argument at the British Press Awards.

May 2004: Campbell v MGN Ltd

In May 2004, The Law Lords found in favour of model Naomi Campbell on privacy grounds after the Mirror published a photograph of her entering a Narcotics Anonymous clinic.

May 2004: Sacked as editor of Daily Mirror

On May 14, 2004, Piers Morgan was sacked as editor of the Daily Mirror after refusing to apologize for publishing fake photographs of Iraqi prisoners being abused.

July 2011: Allegations of Publishing Hacked Story

In July 2011, political blogger Paul Staines alleged that Piers Morgan published a story concerning Sven-Göran Eriksson and Ulrika Jonsson in 2002, while knowing it had been obtained by phone hacking.

December 2011: Appears at Leveson Inquiry

On December 20, 2011, Piers Morgan appeared as a witness via satellite link at the Leveson Inquiry, admitting to hearing a recording of an answerphone message left by Paul McCartney for Heather Mills but refused to disclose the source.

2011: Denial of Phone Hacking Involvement

In 2011, Piers Morgan denied ever hacking a phone and stated he had not knowingly published any story obtained from phone hacking.

February 2012: Mills Testimony at Leveson Inquiry

On February 9, 2012, Heather Mills testified at the Leveson Inquiry, denying that she ever made or played a recording of Paul McCartney's phone call to Piers Morgan.

May 2012: Paxman testifies at Leveson Inquiry

In May 2012, Jeremy Paxman testified at the Leveson Inquiry that in September 2002, Piers Morgan outlined the means of hacking mobile phone voicemails.

November 2012: Taking on the Tabloids documentary

On November 28, 2012, the Channel 4 documentary Taking on the Tabloids featured footage from a 2003 interview with Piers Morgan, during which he explained how to avoid journalists listening to answerphone messages.

November 2012: Leveson Inquiry Findings

On November 29, 2012, the Leveson Inquiry's official findings were released, stating that Piers Morgan's testimony on phone hacking was "utterly unpersuasive" and that he was aware of criminal behavior in the press but joked about it.

2012: Morgan Contradicts Himself on Knowing Jimmy Savile

In 2012, following revelations of Jimmy Savile's sexual abuse against children, Morgan claimed he had "never met" Savile, contradicting a 2009 piece he wrote about their encounter.

December 2013: Interviewed Under Caution

On December 6, 2013, Piers Morgan was interviewed under caution by police officers from Operation Weeting regarding phone hacking allegations at Mirror Group Newspapers.

September 2014: Trinity Mirror Admits Phone Hacking

In September 2014, Trinity Mirror admitted that some of its journalists engaged in phone hacking and agreed to pay compensation to those who sued. The alleged hacking occurred primarily in the early 2000s when Morgan was the Daily Mirror editor, although he has denied involvement.

November 2017: Criticizes Trump for Retweeting Britain First

In late November 2017, Piers Morgan criticized Donald Trump for retweeting videos by Britain First, a far-right fascist party.

April 2020: Criticizes Trump's COVID-19 Handling

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Piers Morgan wrote a highly critical article of Donald Trump's handling of the crisis, particularly his suggestion of "ingesting" disinfectant. Trump unfollowed Morgan on Twitter as a result.

2020: Criticism of Meghan and Harry's Decision to Step Away from Royal Duties

In early 2020, after Meghan and Harry stepped away from royal duties, Piers Morgan described them as "the two most spoiled brats in history". He was later accused of racism towards the Duchess, leading to calls for an advertiser boycott of Good Morning Britain.

March 2021: Departure from Good Morning Britain

In March 2021, Piers Morgan left Good Morning Britain after criticizing the Oprah with Meghan and Harry interview. Ofcom received over 57,000 complaints but cleared Morgan of wrongdoing.

March 2021: Leaves Good Morning Britain After Controversy

In March 2021, Piers Morgan left Good Morning Britain following a controversy over his remarks about Oprah with Meghan and Harry, including an on-air argument with Alex Beresford.

April 2022: Trump Calls Morgan a Fool and Walks Out of Interview

In April 2022, during an interview with Piers Morgan, Donald Trump called him a fool and walked out, labeling him "very dishonest" after Morgan stated Trump lost a free and fair election.

June 2023: Prince Harry Accuses Morgan of Phone Hacking

In June 2023, Prince Harry accused Morgan of attacking him and his wife Meghan, and of hacking their phones, including that of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales. This accusation was made during Harry's case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).

December 2023: Harry Awarded Damages Against MGN; Judge Implicates Morgan in Phone Hacking

In December 2023, Harry was awarded £140,600 in damages against MGN after the High Court ruled that some articles about him were the product of phone hacking. Mr. Justice Fancourt stated that Morgan and other editors knew about and were involved in the phone hacking at their publications.

2023: Court Case Findings on Phone Hacking Knowledge

In 2023, a judge in a court case against Mirror Group Newspapers found evidence that Piers Morgan knew about private phone hacking, shared a method of phone hacking with a media professional, and played another's private phone message in the newsroom.