By Sammie Jones-
Dozens of female MPs have criticised the British media in a signed letter of “solidarity” with the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle in the wake of the royals legal war against the press.
Headed by Labour MP Holly Lynch, the cross Mps condemned the recent stories about Meghan in the press, describing the stories as outdated, colonial, and invasive of her privacy. They added that they cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.
In the letter shared on Twitter by Ms Lynch, the MPs said they “share an understanding of the abuse and intimidation” faced by many women in public life.
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“With this in mind we expect the national media to have the integrity to know when a story is in the national interest, and when it is seeking to tear a woman down for no apparent reason,” they say.
“You have our assurances that we stand with you in solidarity on this.”
The MPs then pledged to use the means at their disposal to ensure the press accept her right to privacy, show respect, and that their stories “reflect the truth”.
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MPs who signed the letter included Labour MP Yvette Cooper, Lib Dem MP Angela Smith, and Tory MP Tracey Crouch.
The MPs wrote:
“As women MPs of all political persuasions, we wanted to express our solidarity with you in taking a stand against the often distasteful and misleading nature of the stories printed in a number of our national newspapers concerning you, your character and your family.
“On occasions, stories and headlines have represented an invasion of your privacy and have sought to cast aspersions about your character, without any good reason as far as we can see.
“Even more concerning still, we are calling out what can only be described as outdated, colonial undertones to some of these stories.
“As women Members of Parliament from all backgrounds, we stand with you in saying it cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle early this month announced a legal suit against The Daily Mail Online for publishing a letter she sent to her father which Meghan considers private and an infringement of copyright rules. The letter was given to the news outlet by Ms Markel’s father.
The High Court will decide whether she owns the copyright to the letter. Prince Harry has also lodged legal suits against The owners of The Sun and The Daily Mirror for alleged historical hacking that included illegal interception of voice messages.
Television presenter Piers Morgan yesterday described the move as ”extraordinary” and ”a very dangerous attempt to suppress freedom of the press”.
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