ROYAL ROW
Omid Scobie doubles down & insists he NEVER named royals in ‘racism’ storm – but Piers slams ‘lying lickspittle’
Scobie - nicknamed Meghan's mouthpiece - appeared on telly after his bombshell book was ripped from shelves
OMID Scobie has doubled down and today claimed he never named the royals amid the growing royal "racism" storm.
The author also hit out at Piers Morgan after the presenter last night revealed who the two members of The Firm were included in the Dutch version of Endgame.
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Scobie insisted he didn't ever name the pair in his book - while claiming he had never been pals with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The author repeatedly defended himself - and Endgame - as he was grilled on ITV's This Morning.
Co-host Craig Doyle quizzed Scobie on the translation error, telling him: ";It does feel like a stunt to sell books."
Scobie was quick to deny that was the case, labelling the situation "frustrating".
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But during the interview Scobie also slammed that Piers "wasn't credible", adding: "He says a lot of things about me that's not true."
The presenter quickly hit back, dubbing him a "lickspittle liar", and blasted the claims that Scobie never named the royals.
Scobie told This Morning: "I wrote and edited the English version of the book with one publisher, that then gets licensed to other publishers.
"I obviously can't speak Italian, German, French, Dutch or any of the other languages that it's come out.
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"I'm as frustrated as everyone else."
He added: "I had never submitted a book that had their names in it. I can only talk about my version.
"I'm frustrated but I wouldn't say I'm upset about it."
Scobie went on to say he "believes" in the monarchy, however, he says there are moments that don't represent the Britain we're in today.
He said: "This book is written to sit at the heart of the conversation about the purpose and future of the Royal Family."
The author also went on to deny being pals with the Sussexes and said they'd never been close, saying: "I'm not their friend... I'm not in their private world in any way whatsoever."
Piers took straight to Twitter during the chat and posted a photo of Scobie captioned: "Liar."
He then posted again, saying: "Comical to watch lying Sussex lickspittle Scobie say he’s never written a draft of his book naming the 2 supposed royal ‘racists’.
"How else did the Dutch version get printed with those explosive details?
"He wouldn’t know the truth if it slapped him round his Botoxed chops."
Piers then egged Scobie on, and invited him to sit down for an interview.
He said: "Rather than appearing on shows where you get to spew your bulls*** unchallenged, come on Piers Uncensored tonight.
"We can clear the air about your unfortunate ‘accidental’ naming of the two royals your heroine Ms Markle said made racist remarks about her baby."
BOOKS PULPED OVER 'ERROR'
It comes as King Charles was seen with a smile ear-to-ear as he carried on as usual on a trip to Dubai.
Princess Kate and Prince William were also snapped beaming at Windsor Castle.
Earlier this week it was revealed the bombshell book claims that Meghan named two people she accused of raising concerns over the colour of Archie’s skin in letters to the King.
In the English versions, Scobie says UK laws prevent him from naming names.
But in a passage in a translated version in the Netherlands, the legal excuse is missing and instead two royals were named.
The first was discovered on Tuesday, and the second on Wednesday.
This "error" saw the book frantically pulled from the shelves, with publishers saying a revised version would be on sale tomorrow.
It comes after Piers last night named the two royals on his TalkTV show.
'ENTITLED TO KNOW'
He said: "I'm going to tell you names of the two Royals who are named in that Dutch version of this book.
"Because frankly if Dutch people wandering into a book shop can pick it up and see these names, then you British people here who actually pay for the British Royal Family... You're entitled to know too.
"And then we can have a more open debate about this whole farrago.
"Because I don't believe any racist comments were ever made by any of the Royal Family.
"And until there is actual evidence of those comments being made I will never believe it.
"But now we can start the process of finding out if they ever got uttered, what the context was, and whether there was any racial intent at all.
"Like I say, I don't believe there was."
THE 'ACCIDENTAL' NAMING
Piers then went on to reveal their names.
Scobie initially denied responsibility for the Dutch translation of his new book "accidentally naming” a member of the Royal Family.
In the English versions of Endgame, Scobie - often called Meghan's mouthpiece - says UK laws prevent him from naming names.
He writes that Charles had "reached out" to Meghan in written correspondence after the bombshell claim.
Scobie then writes: "But in pages of these private letters, two identities were revealed. Laws in the UK prevent me from reporting who they were."
However, on page 128 of the Dutch edition, it reads: "But in those private letters an identity was revealed and confirmed."
Then a passage on page 334 of the Dutch version reads: "Even after Meghan and Charles by letter discussed the probably unconscious bias within the family, after it was revealed that (name) and (name) took part in such conversations about Archie, (name) has avoided discussing the subject."
PUBLISHER'S PROBE
Publishers Xander Uitgevers yesterday said they were seeking to remove Scobie's work from bookshelves saying there had been an "error".
They also confirmed an investigation is currently taking place.
The publisher said: "The rectified edition of Eindstrijd by Omid Scobie will be in bookstores on Friday 8 December.
"Xander Uitgevers temporarily removed the book from sale, due to an error that occurred in the Dutch edition."
It is unclear how the gaffe has occurred.
The Sussexes sparked a race row in their 2021 Oprah Winfrey chat by alleging that an unnamed royal had asked about son Archie’s skin colour.
Last Saturday, The Sun revealed how Endgame would say Meghan named two people behind the comments in letters to King Charles.
In the English version, out yesterday, Mr Scobie writes: “In the pages of these private letters, two identities were revealed. UK laws prevent me from reporting who they were.”
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But the Dutch version reads: “In those private letters, an identity was revealed and confirmed” — before going on to name a senior royal.
In recent days, Buckingham Palace has refused to say if they were taking action.
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