A British journalist apologized on air after falsely claiming that Meghan Markle was raised by her father, Thomas Markle, while her mother, Doria Ragland, was in jail.

On Dec. 15, video clips of commentator Carole Malone apologizing on GB News made the rounds on social media.

Malone began, “In an episode of Britain’s Newsroom on Thursday, December the 4th, 2025, I stated that Thomas Markle, the Duchess of Sussex’s father, brought Meghan up while her mother, Doria Ragland, was in prison. I believed this to be the case based on what I now understand to be misinformation I had seen online. I was questioned about the validity of this claim during the broadcast and I repeated this belief, which I now understand to be false.”

“This was a genuine error. I accept what I have been told on behalf of Ms. Ragland — that she raised her daughter and that she has never been in prison or jail,” she continued. “I apologize sincerely to Ms. Ragland and her family for any pain my comments may have caused, and I’m happy to set the record straight.”

Anchor Andrew Pierce added, “Can I just say I’m up for GB News cause I was on the program that day. We all wish to apologize to Ms. Ragland for the error, and we are happy to correct the record.”

Carole Malone during the Dress For Success photocall at Newcombe House on Sept. 13, 2021 in London.Gareth Cattermole/Getty

In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex said: “Broadcasters have a responsibility to inform, not inflame. This lie was conclusively debunked more than two years ago, yet it continues to be recycled by irresponsible commentators, causing recurring harm.”

“Ms. Ragland proudly raised her daughter and has never been in prison. GB News did not apologize voluntarily, but only to escape a defamation lawsuit — and it speaks volumes that GB News removed any trace of that apology within 24hrs of making it,” the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for GB News declined to comment when reached by PEOPLE.

Malone, 71, made the false claim on Britain’s Newsroom earlier this month as reports emerged that Thomas underwent an emergency leg amputation in the Philippines, where he is currently living.

“So where’s her compassion for the father who actually brought her up, who paid for her private education, while her mother was in jail, who took huge care of her, and she’s not seen him in the latter years. Not just seen him, she’s like, totally snubbed him, Thomas,” Malone incorrectly said in a video clip shared to X.

“When was that mom in jail?” her fellow presenter asked.

“Years ago,” Malone replied, as he seemed confused. “Do you want me to give you the precise date and time? Because I haven’t got that.”

“I never heard that before ever,” he said.

Meghan, 44, has shared glimpses of her relationship with her mother growing up, from Ragland being the troop leader for her daughter’s Girl Scouts to Ragland’s nickname for Meghan being “Flower” since she was young. On her recent Netflix holiday special, the Duchess of Sussex made her mother’s recipe for gumbo, their traditional Christmas Eve meal.

“Meghan draws a lot of strength from her mother. Doria is classy, chic and confident, but not unapproachable,” Meghan’s longtime friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin told PEOPLE in May 2018. “I definitely feel Meghan gets a lot of that from her mother.”

Thomas Markle in Rosarito, Mexico in March 2024.Dsanchez/CPR / BACKGRID

The Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father, 81, since shortly before her royal wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.

The rift began after Thomas admitted to staging paparazzi photos and, according to Meghan, was not truthful with her about his contact with the press.

She directly addressed the rift when she and Prince Harry were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 2021. “I’ve lost my father,” Meghan said then.

Despite the distance, PEOPLE confirmed on Dec. 10 that the Duchess of Sussex got a letter to Thomas following his emergency surgery after several days of claim and counterclaim about her ability to contact him.