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Minimum Wage: Lobby your representatives to kill the anti-labour bill – Gbajabiamila tells Workers

By
Cleopatra Okohai
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila has urged Nigerian workers under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to rally the support of their respective lawmakers with a view to kill the controversial bill which seeks to remove the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List.

The Speaker who spoke through the Majority Leader, Hon Ado Doguwa, during the peaceful protest held by the organised labour on Wednesday, also demanded the reversal of the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and electricity tariff.

Earlier, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had embarked on a nationwide protest after the bill which is sponsored by Honourable Garba Mohammed of Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, Kaduna State passed its second reading at the House of Representatives. 

While expressed the House leadership’s readiness to defend the interest of Nigerian workers, Hon Gbajabiamila said: “Mr President, may I say on behalf of my Speaker and the entire members of the House of Representatives that we are also by extension members of the organised labour; we are your employees. By this implication, we have no case whatsoever to shy away from the interests and yearnings of Nigerian workers. When you are happy we are happy.

“I, therefore, say on behalf of the Speaker and the House that we have accepted the letter written and signed by the president of the organised labour and we are going to give it the right treatment. There would be an opportunity to come and address us through public hearings. That initiative is only an opinion. The recommendation of that Bill is only a proposal. From what I am seeing now it is clear that organised labour are against that Bill. I want to assure you that the House of Reps would give a listening ear to your message.

“We will still invite you to come and engage with the relevant committee of which I am a member. You will come and make your position fully. Your position will be heard at the committee level and when we come to the plenary to consider the bill, members that are representing your respective communities, engage with them to do justice to that Bill and I can understand that the only justice would be to kill the bill. I want to advise please lobby members that you elected that you do not want the bill and members will make sure the bill is killed.”

The protesters for the first time had unfettered access to the National Assembly arcade where they were received by representatives of the Senate President, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ado Doguwa, Majority Leader, who were booed when mentioned.

The protesters who displayed various placards also demanded the recall of the lawmakers, who sponsored the anti-workers bill.

Read Also: Stop the disbursement of £4.2m Ibori loot – Reps tells FG

Some of the placards read: ‘’El-Rufai, Abbass Tajudeen, Datti Muhammed, agent of anarchy, don’t destabilise Nigeria’; ‘Progressive lawmakers, rise like in the past and defend workers rights’; ‘Give us our new minimum wage now’; ‘No minimum wage, no work from November 6th’; ‘Minimum wage willingness to pay and not about to pay is the challenge’; ‘National minimum wage protects unskilled and the vulnerable, leave it on Exclusive List’; ‘River State people should recall dishonourable Bob Solomon from Abua Odual/Ahoada East constituency for sponsoring a bill to remove minimum wage from Exclusive List’; ‘President Buhari no room for fifth columnists, stand with Nigerian workers, keep minimum wage on Exclusive List’; ‘Wage theft: Crime agent workers, crime against humanity’; ‘Upward review of minimum wage would not trigger inflation’; ‘Removing national minimum wage from Exclusive List is a declaration of war on Nigerian workers’; ‘No wage poverty, yes to living wage,’ among others.

While addressing the lawmakers and the massive crowd during the rally, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who warned against compounding the woes of average Nigerian workers, maintained that the issue of the national minimum wage was encapsulated in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and of international best practice.

While urging the 9th Assembly to jettison the proposed bill, by maintaining the status quo, Comrade Wabba threatened that the Labour Movement will not hesitate to paralyze all business and government activities across the country, if the National Assembly continues with the consideration of the anti-people’s legislation.

The workers also demanded a reversal of the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), electricity tariff.

In the same vein, the unions demanded full autonomy of Local Government Councils across the country as part of efforts aimed at deepening democracy in the country.

Lobby your Reps to kill anti-labour bill on minimum wage, Gbajabiamila tells workers

Nigeria Records N7.38 Trillion Trade Deficit For 2020

By
Elizabeth Williams
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National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) foreign trade data released on tuesday shows Nigeria’s external imbalance continues to widen as the trade deficit for 2020 hit N7.38 trillion.

Of the total yearly foreign trade value of N32.42 trillion, export accounted for N12.52 trillion (or 39 per cent) as against N19.89 trillion import bills.

According to the data, the 2020 figure was 10.3 per cent lower than the 2019 record.

“On an annual basis, total trade was valued at N32, 420.7 billion in 2020 or 10.3 per cent less than the value recorded in 2019. The value of total imports in 2020 stood at N19, 898 billion, or 17.3 per cent higher than in 2019 while total exports were valued at N12, 522.7 billion or 34.8 per cent less than in 2019. The annual merchandise trade deficit in 2020 was recorded at -N7, 375.3 billion,” the report noted.

Nigeria’s total foreign trade for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020 rose to N9.12 trillion, representing an increase of 8.88 per cent compared to N8.38 trillion recorded in the previous quarter.

Crude oil has continued to dominate the country’s exports by a disturbing margin as it accounted for 9.44 trillion last year, an equivalent of 75 per cent of the total value of export.

South Africa GDP Shrinks 12-Year Record Low In 2020 – Official Data

By
Elizabeth Williams
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South Africa’s economy recorded its first annual contraction in 12 years in 2020 due to the pandemic but it extended its rebound in the last quarter, official data showed Tuesday.
The country’s gross domestic product shrank by 7.0 percent in 2020 compared to a 0.2 percent expansion a year earlier, statistics agency StatSA said in a statement.
The drop was “primarily led by decreases in manufacturing, trade, catering and accommodation,” it said.
It was the first recession since 2009, when GDP fell by 3.2 percent.
But the economy — already in recession when it was hit by the virus — showed signs of resilience despite Covid-19 restrictions and grew by 1.5 percent in the final quarter of 2020, with annualised growth of 6.3 percent.
The GDP growth between October and December was driven mainly by a boom in the manufacturing and trade sectors, said StatSA.
It is an extension of a recovery that started in the third quarter — when it posted a 13.5 percent quarter-on-quarter growth — after the pandemic handed Africa’s second-largest economy a record slump.
In annualised terms, the statistics agency’s preferred measure, third-quarter growth reached 66.1 percent, after falling back by 51.7 percent between April and June.
The economy picked up pace in the third quarter when containment measures were loosened following falling infection numbers.
A resurgence of infection fuelled by a more contagious variant of the coronavirus meant a reimposing of some of the restrictions but industries put up a brave face.
Sectors such as the hospitality and tourism industries were hardest hit as a night-time curfew and alcohol ban forced restaurants to close early.
The government imposed a strict lockdown in late March to stymie the rising virus cases, but it also stifled the economic outlook.
Africa’s most industrialised nation has counted more than 1.5 million cases of Covid-19 of which slightly over 50,000 have been fatal, representing nearly half of the total deaths on the continent.

Standards Organisation Of Nigeria Approves 96 New Principles For Businesses

By
Elizabeth Williams
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With standards cut across chemical technology, electrical/electronics, food/agriculture, textile/leather and services. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Governing Council has approved 96 new Nigerian Industrial Principles for national use.
The approval, follows the appointment of Mallam Farouk Salim as the Director-General, increased the total number of standards approved by SON last year to 264. The Council had earlier approved 168 standards.
Chairman of the Council, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, commended the new SON helmsman for convening the council meeting a few months after his appointment despite the challenge of the pandemic; While stating the newly-approved standards were significant given the scope of their coverage.
The Chairman, listed the approved standards to include those that are essential for the production of medical and other supplies required for the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, health and safety measures for tourism and hospitality establishments – post COVID-19 resumption amongst many others.
Dr. Sani-Gwarzo assured that the new SON Chief Executive of access to a rich and diverse knowledge, expertise and experience in the Council to support his aspiration of making SON a high-impact organisation in support of the country’s socio-economic growth and development.

Attention Shifts To Agege LGA As Pen Cinema Flyover Bridge Is Commissioned

By
Angel Gimalo
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March 5, 2021 will always be cherished by the people of Agege, Lagos state, southwest Nigeria. It is significant to them because that is the day attention shifted from every other place in Lagos to their own area.

People from all walks of life including the international community were present to open the much awaited 1.4 kilometer Agege, Pen Cinema Flyover Bridge.

LN247 News reports that the occasion was graced by the presence of the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and the National Leader of Nigeria’s ruling party (All Progressives Congress), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In his speech, the Lagos state Governor was grateful to all stakeholders for the making the project which was started by ex Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, a reality.

Also speaking to the teeming crowd, Party leader, Bola Tinubu admonished the youth to shun violence in all they do.

Chairman of Agege local government was excited, but asked the government to do more.

Locals who spoke to our reporter said they were grateful to previous Governors of Lagos state and the present Governor for making trade and commerce easier in their vicinity.

The bridge is presently open for vehicular movement.

Stop the disbursement of £4.2m Ibori loot – Reps tells FG

By
Chris Ottah
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The house of representatives has asked the federal government to halt the disbursement of £4.2m James Ibori loot.

The United Kingdom, on Tuesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria to return £4.2 million assets stolen by Ibori, former governor of Delta state.

Subsequently, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), said the loot will be used to fund three infrastructural projects, including the second Niger bridge.

See Also: UK distance self from Gowon’s alleged looting

The resolution of the house was passed during the plenary session of Wednesday after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by all the lawmakers from Delta state.

While moving the motion, the lawmakers said the sum of £4.2m being proceeds of crime recovered from Ibori “is being transferred to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria for appropriation without recourse to the Delta State Government and or Parliament in two weeks time”.

According to the lawmakers, “the said recovered looted funds belongs to the good people of Delta State and as such ought to be refunded to the coffers of the Delta State Government for developmental purposes”.

The lawmakers said if the the federal government is allowed to utilise the funds it will deprive the Delta government of their legitimate resources to improve the economy of the state.

The lawmakers said the total sum is £6.2 million, and not £4.2 million as being reported.

“From all indications and information to Delta state indicate that the actual money is £6.2m and federal government should ensure that the total of £6.2m is credited not £4.2m as stated,” they said.

After a unanimous adoption of the motion, the house asked the federal government to stop “forthwith further appropriation and/or disbursement of recovered loot of 4.2 million pounds pending the final determination of the matter by the House”

Bandits are vicious and aggressive because they feel everyone is against them – Sheikh Gumi

By
Chris Ottah
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0

Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, on Wednesday suggested ways the Federal Government can resolve the challenge of banditry in the North.

Gumi said the Federal Government should adopt the non-kinetic approach in tackling banditry and insecurity in the Northern part of the country.

Speaking during an interview, the cleric explained that the use of kinetic force was responsible for the current insecurity issue in the North.

See Also: Banditry: Buhari’s Silence over Gumi’s Outburst on Military is an endorsement – CAN

He stressed that bandits feel, “everybody is against them,” hence they are vicious and aggressively fighting for survival.

According to Gumi: “Honestly speaking, there has to be a synergy of armed forces acting towards tackling insecurity. They should adopt the non-kinetic approach which should be about 80 percent because these people are ordinary Nigerians.

“Government should meet and dialogue with them because they are ready to listen. If the Government can apply the non-kinetic approach, it would have taken care of about 90 percent of the problem. So the 10 percent is where the kinetic comes into play.

See Also: Banditry: Buhari’s Silence over Gumi’s Outburst on Military is an endorsement – CAN

“The use of kinetic force is what led to what we are having now. They think it’s an ethnic cleansing where everybody is against them, and they are fighting for survival, very vicious and aggressive.”

States like Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna have witnessed the sting of banditry lately.

Several students and residents have been abducted and a few killed during their operations in these states.

Despite their abduction, the students have been released.

Several killed in Ebonyi renewed communal crisis

By
Chris Ottah
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0

Report has it that not less than seven persons were on Tuesday confirmed killed in a renewed communal war between Ezza- Effium and Effium in Ebonyi State.

Recall that there has been a lingering communal crisis between Ezza-Effium and Effium people since January this year, which resulted in the killing of hundreds of persons and destruction of property worth millions of Naira.

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi had summoned and arrested prominent leaders as well as stakeholders of the two communities in a bid to end the killings, but the two warring communities have remained adamant.

See Also: Communal Clashes: Olu of Warri Decries attacks

When contacted, the Commissioner for Internal Security, boarder peace and conflict resolution, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha confirmed the renewed killings but threatened that the state government will clampdown and rearrest the stakeholders for allowing the war to subsist.

According to him: “As for how many that were killed this morning, police will let us know. Government has done what it’s supposed to do to make sure that the peace which lasted for three weeks now is sustained. But the State government will not be tired of tackling this security situation in that community.

“We will find out what is really the problem again that caused this renewed crisis.

“We are not yet sure whether those killed were up to four or six persons as people who are from that place are saying. It is still a rumour until we are sure. However, it is the duty of the government to provide security and we have deployed more troops to the place.

“I don’t know why this has continued, in fact, the state government will take a certain measure that is harder. We will ensure that all the stakeholders are rearrested,” he stated.

See Also: BREAKING: Many injured as APC, PDP supporters clash at tribunal in Ondo State

However, an unconfirmed report from sources in Effium community alleged that over twenty innocent persons were reportedly killed by warlords during the renewed hostilities.

In a swift reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP. Aliyu Garba confirmed that it is only one person that was killed in the renewed hostilities in Effium community.

“Police is doing everything possible to put an end to the crisis in Effium community. We have understood the modus operandi on how both Ezza-Effium and Effium operate. There is no need of blowing Effium crisis. Only one person was killed,” he stated.

Queen Elizabeth responds to Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview

By
Cleopatra Okohai
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0

Queen Elizabeth said the British royals were saddened by the challenging experiences of her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan during their time as working royals.

In a statement, issued on behalf of the Queen, Buckingham Palace said race allegations raised by Harry and Meghan in their Oprah Winfrey interview “are concerning” and promised to privately address revelations over a racist remark about their son, Archie.

It said the issues would be “addressed by the family privately”.

This was in response to Meghan and Harry’s tell-all TV interview with Oprah Winfrey which aired on U.S. television on Sunday and is said to have plunged the monarchy into its biggest crisis since the 1997 death of Harry’s mother, Diana.

The statement reads: “The following statement is issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. 

“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning.  Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. 

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”

The nearly two-hour-long interview with US chat show host Oprah in which series of claims were made was the first of its kind since Harry and Meghan left the UK and stepped back from Royal life.

These included the allegation that a member of the family – not the Queen nor the Duke of Edinburgh – had raised concerns about their unborn son’s potential skin colour.

Meghan also spoke openly about experiencing suicidal thoughts during her time in the Royal Family, revealing she got to the stage where she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore.”

The statement is the first response from the Palace since the interview aired on US network CBS on Sunday and on ITV on Monday night.

The interview, watched by 12.4 million viewers in Britain and 17.1 million in the United States, has triggered a series of backlash to which the monarchy had to respond.

It has proved divisive among the British public, with some believing it showed how outdated and intolerant the institution was, while others decried it as a self-serving assault that neither Elizabeth nor her family deserved.

“It could hardly be more damaging to the royal family, not least because there is little it can do to defend itself,” The Times said in a lead article under the title “Royal Attack”.

“The key to the monarchy’s survival over the centuries has been its ability to adapt to the needs of the times. It needs to adapt again,” The Times said.

Read Also: Piers Morgan quits ‘Good Morning Britain’ after attacks on Meghan and Harry

In the interview, nearly three years since her wedding in Windsor Castle, Meghan gained sympathy in the United States by revealing some unidentified members of the royal family as uncaring, mendacious or guilty of racist remarks.

Meghan and Harry have also had a torrid relationship with the British press, successfully taking papers to court on occasions, and have repeatedly questioned what they say is reporting tainted by racist overtones.

Harry said in the interview he did not know where to turn when faced with such troubling media coverage and felt hurt when his family failed to call out racist reporting.

He said the royal family had an unhealthy silent agreement with the British tabloids and that the family was paranoid about the media turning on them.

“There is a level of control by fear that has existed for generations,” Harry said.

For the monarchy, which traces its history through 1,000 years of British and English history to William the Conqueror, Meghan’s bombshell has been compared to the crises over the death of Diana and the 1936 abdication of Edward VIII.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson watched the interview, his spokesman said, but would not be making further comment on it.

Johnson said on Monday he had the highest admiration for the queen but that he did not want to speak about the interview. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her nation was unlikely to stop having the queen as head of state soon.

Opponents of the monarchy said the allegations made by Meghan and Harry showed how rotten the institution was and that the Palace’s public relations machine had created a distorted image of the royals.

“Now people are getting a much clearer picture of what the monarchy is really like. And it doesn’t look good,” said Graham Smith, head of Republic, a campaign group which seeks to abolish the monarchy.

However, Royal supporters cast Meghan, 39, as a publicity seeker with an eye on Hollywood stardom.

A YouGov poll found a majority of young people thought the royals’ treatment of the couple was unfair, while half of older people said the opposite.

Since the broadcasts, many high-profile faces have publicly sided with the Palace or the Sussexes.

Tennis star Serena Williams and former Wales rugby player Gareth Thomas are among those who backed Harry and Meghan on social media, while Meghan’s estranged father insisted that the Royal Family is not racist on Tuesday morning.

Hours before the Palace put out their statement on Tuesday, Prince Charles of Wales refused to say whether he’d watched the tell-all interview on a visit to a pop-up vaccine clinic in north London.

The Prince of Wales while visiting an NHS vaccine pop-up clinic at Jesus House church in north London, responding to one worker, who said she was from Nigeria, he said: “Oh fantastic, yes, I’ve been there. Lots of different ethnic groups. Do give them my kind regards next time you speak to them.”

When asked what he thought of the interview, the prince didn’t reply and continued to walk with his entourage to the next part of the tour.

The Sussexes have also remained largely silent since the interview, except for releasing a photo of their growing family.

The black and white image taken and shared by photographer Misan Harriman captures a smiling, pregnant Meghan stood by a tree cuddling Archie as Harry stands behind her, embracing his wife.

Piers Morgan quits ‘Good Morning Britain’ after attacks on Meghan and Harry

By
Cleopatra Okohai
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0

Piers Morgan has backed off from his presenting role on Good Morning Britain last night following complaints over his comments on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey

The British television personality is leaving the show following comments he made about Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, ITV announced Tuesday.

Piers Morgan has been a constant critic of the couple, drawing backlash from viewers and an investigation by a media watchdog. 

“Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain,” the broadcaster said in a statement. “ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”

On Sunday, Prince Harry and Meghan shocked millions in an interview with Oprah, revealing that relentless pressure from British tabloids and the royal family led Meghan to contemplate suicide. She also said there were discussions about “how dark” their baby’s skin colour would be. The royal family called the allegations “concerning,” but said the issues would be addressed by the family privately. 

Morgan, however, appeared on “Good Morning Britain” on Monday, calling Meghan’s comments lies. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she says,” he said. “I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report.”

Both viewers and Morgan’s own co-hosts condemned his actions. While Morgan clarified his comments the next morning, saying he believes suicide and mental health are important issues to be treated by professionals, he later stormed out of the studio after fellow presenter Alex Beresford called his treatment of Meghan “diabolical.”

“I understand that you don’t like Meghan Markle. You’ve made that so clear a number of times on this program,” Beresford said. “I understand that you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle or had one and she cut you off. She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has, but yet you continue to trash her.” 

At this point, Piers stood up and said: “OK, I’m done with this” and walked off set, saying: “Sorry, no… Sorry, can’t do this…”

“This is pathetic… This is absolutely diabolical behaviour, “Alex said to Piers’ receding figure.

Piers eventually returned to the set and tried to defend his comments about Meghan and Harry.

Piers said: “I didn’t have a relationship with Meghan Markle.

“I knew her briefly. All that did was inform me that she’s a bit of a cut and run. All her family, her father, her ex-husband, her ex-friends, have all been cut out of her life.

“It’s an interesting observation that I have.”

He added: “It doesn’t matter what I think of her. It doesn’t matter if believe her not, what matters is the damage she is accused of doing to the Royal Family.”

Later Tuesday, Morgan tweeted about his departure from the show. “Thinking of my late, great manager John Ferriter tonight,” he wrote. “He’d have told me to do exactly the same thing. @GMB #TrustYourGut”

Piers who spoke today outside his London home, insisted that his departure was “amicable”. He said: “I had a good chat with ITV and we agreed to disagree.

“I’m just going to take it easy and see how we go.

“I believe in freedom of speech, I believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion. If people want to believe Meghan Markle, that’s entirely their right.

“I don’t believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth and I think the damage she’s done to the British monarchy and to the Queen at a time when Prince Philip is lying in hospital is enormous and frankly contemptible.

“If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it.”

He added: “I think it’s fair to say, although the woke crowd will think that they’ve cancelled me, I think they will be rather disappointed when I re-emerge.

“I would call it a temporary hibernation.”

Piers said that he is “always in talks with people”.

Asked what he would say to his Good Morning Britain colleague, Alex Beresford, with whom he had a heated debate during Tuesday’s show, Piers said: “Good luck to him.”

An insider according to the Mirror claimed that Piers had been ordered to apologise on the show over his rants about the Duchess of Sussex, but that he declined.

Read Also: Queen Elizabeth responds to Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview

The said: “This is Piers Morgan we’re talking about, he has never backed down in his life – he’s hardly going to start now.”

A group of Meghan fans had launched a petition to have Piers axed from the show, something he had laughed off, and it was revealed yesterday that bosses had words with him about his comments.

An Ofcom investigation was also launched after a record number of complaints were made to the broadcasting watchdog.

As of 2 pm on Tuesday, 41,015 complaints had been made about his comments on Meghan and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah, making it the most complained-about TV moment of the decade.

Susanna Reid his co-host paid tribute to her former colleague, as she hosted this morning’s show without him.

She said: “A number of people will of course know the news and many of you will not and will be surprised that Piers Morgan is not here this morning.

“Now, Piers and I have disagreed on many things and that dynamic was one of the things that viewers liked about the programme.

“He is without doubt an outspoken, challenging, opinionative, disruptive broadcaster. He has many critics and he has many fans.”

She was joined on the show by Ranvir Singh, who stepped in to host with her.

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