Meghan Markle's father faces investigation over abuse images

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Thomas Markle Snr is under investigation by Philippine police after his son claimed to have found child sex abuse images at his former home in Cebu.

Thomas Markle Snr, the father of Meghan Markle, is under investigation by Philippine police after his son claimed to have found a large cache of child sex abuse images at the family home in Cebu. According to the Daily Record, Thomas Markle Jr says he discovered 'hundreds, if not thousands' of images in four large boxes while searching for a mobile phone. Police in the Philippines are understood to be preparing to seize evidence from the property. Markle Snr left the Philippines in May following a stroke and blood clot that led to the amputation of his left leg. He now lives in a nursing home in Florida.

Markle Snr has denied the accusations. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he called the allegations 'sick lies'. Meghan issued a statement saying she is 'deeply distressed' by the news. She revealed that a letter containing accusations against her father was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018, and that she was subsequently told these allegations were being investigated.

Thomas Markle Jr said the discovery had left him 'horrified' and that he had reported his findings to police. He stated: 'I won't speak to my father ever again unless I'm called to give evidence against him.' A source close to Meghan told the press that the situation explained why she has had no contact with her father since 2018.

How it is being reported

• Meghan Markle ‘deeply distressed’ by claim her father had child abuse imagesThe Duchess of Sussex has said she is “deeply distressed” by accusations her father had a hoard of child sex abuse images.The National · 23 Oct, 11:39
• Meghan Markle's dad 'probed over child sex abuse images' found by own sonThomas Markle Snr is alleged to have kept the cache of images at his home in the Philippines.Daily Record · 23 Oct, 09:13

In this story: Meghan Markle · Thomas Markle Snr · Thomas Markle Jr · Philippines · Cebu · Florida · Metropolitan Police

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem