Metropolitan Police refers itself to watchdog over Markle letter

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 00:09 · Archive

Britain's Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police complaints watchdog over its handling of a letter with allegations against the Duchess of Sussex's father.

The Metropolitan Police has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following a review of its handling of a letter received in January 2019. The letter, addressed to the force's Protection Command and Fixated Threats Assessment Centre, contained allegations against Thomas Markle Sr, father of the Duchess of Sussex.

The Met said the letter suggested concerns about the security of the Duchess but contained no information specifically related to security matters. Instead, it included claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom. Rather than informing relevant overseas law enforcement agencies, the police passed the letter to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness.

The referral to the watchdog concerns both the decision not to inform other law enforcement agencies and the decision to pass the letter to the Duke and Duchess's office. The referral comes as police in the Philippines investigate suspected child sex abuse images reportedly found at Markle Sr's former home. Thomas Markle Jr, the Duchess's half-brother, told The Sun he found the images and reported them to Philippine police and the FBI. Markle Sr has admitted paying for sex in the country but denies ever possessing such material.

How it is being reported

• UK police refers itself to watchdog over Markle letterBritain's Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police complaints watchdog over its handling of a letter with allegations against Thomas Markle.The West Australian · 29 Oct, 23:43
• UK police refers itself to watchdog over Markle letterBritain's Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police complaints watchdog over its handling of a letter with allegations against Thomas Markle.Perth Now · 29 Oct, 23:43

In this story: Metropolitan Police · Independent Office for Police Conduct · Thomas Markle Sr · Duchess of Sussex · Thomas Markle Jr · Philippines · United Kingdom

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