The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it received a letter in January 2019 containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom, and is now reviewing its handling of the matter and considering whether a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is necessary.
The confirmation comes after the Duchess of Sussex revealed on Friday that she had been shown a letter in 2018 containing what she described as “troubling and disturbing allegations” about her father, Thomas Markle Sr, and had been assured they were being investigated. The developments follow reports that officials in the Philippines are investigating claims that Mr Markle had a hoard of child sex abuse images at his former home in the country.
Met Police Statement on the Letter
In a statement, a Met Police spokesman said: “Following a thorough review of Met Police systems and records, we have confirmed that in January 2019, we received a letter containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom. It was sent to the MPS Protection Command to raise concerns in relation to the security of the Duchess of Sussex.
“The letter was reviewed and a decision was made that it should be passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness. The details of the allegations in the letter were not shared with other law enforcement agencies.”
The spokesman added: “The MPS is reviewing the handling of this matter in 2019 and considering whether a referral to the IOPC is necessary to review our approach.”
Allegations and Investigation in the Philippines
According to The Sun, Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, told police he discovered child abuse pictures and videos among family belongings while clearing the property. The newspaper reported that he also contacted FBI investigators in the US in July.
Nicholas Ty, undersecretary for the Philippines Department of Justice, told ITV News: “Our Anti-Trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children taskforce in Cebu is currently investigating the matter.”
Meghan's Response and Family Rift
Reacting to the allegations, Meghan said: “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.” She went on to reveal that a letter had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018 and was later shared with her.
“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she said. In her strongest comments yet on her rift with her father, Meghan suggested the allegations help explain why she chose to distance him from her family. “I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications' distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them,” she said.
The Duchess added: “Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”
Thomas Markle Sr has strongly denied the claims. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he said: “I'm shocked, I'm hurt and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.” Thomas Markle Jr told The Sun he felt compelled to report his father after making the alleged discovery. “When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad,” he said.
The FBI said it was aware of the allegations and would provide support to Philippine authorities where appropriate, while also investigating any related allegations of federal violations of US law.
