Advertisement

Piers Morgan sparks backlash by joking that people should 'drive over' motorway protestors

Piers Morgan at the GQ Men of the Year Award 2021. (Getty Images)
Piers Morgan made a joke about the Insulate Britain campaigners. (Getty Images)

Piers Morgan has landed himself in hot water on Twitter after joking that motorists should "drive over" Insulate Britain campaigners.

The outspoken TV star, 56, shared a clip of the climate activists at the Port of Dover.

"Just drive over them," he quipped on Twitter.

Read more: Piers Morgan mocks Dan Walker over Strictly's lowest launch ratings ever

"Fewer people is good for the planet anyway. Win-win."

However, his words angered some people, with some claiming his joke was "offensive" and "irresponsible".

"Shameful thing to say," said one person. "You may not like what they are doing but there is a very real issue that they are bringing to the fore."

"This would be a fairly irresponsible tweet if you were using a social media platform where you had, I don't know, say 8 million or so followers," said another.

"Interesting comment from a champion of free expression, and self-appointed bastion of rationality and moderation, such as yourself," said another.

However, others pointed out that Morgan's comment was clearly a joke.

"It's just a joke, remember those???" said one.

Another person tweeted: "Whilst I get your point and frustrations Piers you cannot say that sort of thing in these new times. It gets you cancelled. Have we come to a stage now that nothing can be said even in jest or your (sic) cancelled. I think we have indeed."

Read more: Piers Morgan turned down 'about 20' jobs before taking News Corp role

Insulate Britain has blocked parts of the M25 motorway several times recently.

The group wants to raise awareness of the climate crisis and wants to see UK homes insulated to help cut emissions.

Watch: Piers Morgan signs global TV deal with Fox News media and News Corp