Meghan Markle's friend Jessica Mulroney 'fired from TV role over social media racism row'

The Duchess of Sussex's best friend has been fired from her role as a TV presenter for a Canadian network after “threatening” a black lifestyle blogger in a row over white privilege.

Jessica Mulroney, who attended Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry, was fired on Thursday night from the CTV reality show I Do, Redo for remarks she made to Sasha Exeter during an argument about "speaking up" against racism that had Ms Exeter "paralysed in fear".

The controversy has seen the network remove Ms Mulroney's show from its channels, saying her "recent conduct... conflicts with our commitment to diversity and equality".

The move came after Ms Exeter posted a 12-minute long video to Instagram, claiming Ms Mulroney, a “former acquaintance”, "took offence" to her call of action for people to join the Black Lives Matter movement, which has swept across the world in the wake of the killing of African-American George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

Read more: How Jessica Mulroney became Meghan’s trusted confidante, protector and fashion secret-weapon  

She said: "What happened next was a series of very problematic behaviour and antics that ultimately resulted in her sending me a threat in writing last Wednesday."

Ms Exeter told her more than 82,000 followers that the threat was a “textbook” example of “white privilege".

She accused Ms Mulroney, 40, of sending a message which read: "I have also spoken to companies and people about the way you have treated me unfairly. You think your voice matters. Well, it only matters if you express it with kindness and without shaming people who are simply trying to learn."

Ms Exter said: “That's a threat to my livelihood. For her to threaten me? A single black mother, during a racial pandemic? Blows my mind, it is absolutely unbelievable.”

Ms Exeter added she was upset Ms Mulroney "never" wanted to use her platform to support the Black Lives Matter movement, especially considering she is "very vocal" about other causes.

And she expressed puzzlement over why Ms Mulroney would not back the organisation considering her close friend is "arguably one of the most famous black women in the world".

Ms Mulroney and the duchess reportedly met in Toronto, where Meghan lived while filming TV drama Suits.

She frequently appeared on the duchess’s Instagram page, before it was closed as the former actress prepared to join the Royal Family.

She has also previously defended the royal against "racist bullies", appearing to reference unfavourable coverage of the duchess in British tabloid newspapers.

The duchess, who is now living with the Duke of Sussex and their son Archie in LA, spoke last week about the movement, urging young people to vote, and to become “the leaders we so deeply crave”.

Ms Mulroney apologised to Ms Exeter, sharing a lengthy reply with her almost 400,000 Instagram followers.

She wrote: "As some of you may have seen, @sashaexeter and I had a disagreement. She rightfully called me out for not doing enough when it came to engaging in the important and difficult conversation around race and injustice in our society.

"I took it personally and that was wrong. I know I need to do better. Those of us with a platform must use it to speak out.

"I did not intend in any way to jeopardise her livelihood. We had a disagreement and it got out of hand. For that I am sorry."

She also said she will be stepping away from social media and handing her platform over to black voices.

Ms Mulroney added: "The real work of bringing change goes beyond Instagram and I want you all to know that I'm committed to using every platform and resource available to me to continue the important work of anti-racism. I hope you will all continue to hold me accountable."