The Metropolitan Police is facing growing pressure to refer itself to the police watchdog after admitting it did not act on allegations made about Meghan Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr.
Scotland Yard said last week that it did not inform other law enforcement agencies about a letter it received in 2019 that "contained a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom" by Mr Markle Sr, which was later passed to the Duchess of Sussex.
The existence of the letter, understood to have been written by Mr Markle Sr's ex-wife, Roslyn Loveless, who has since died, came to light following allegations that Mr Markle, 82, had a hoard of child sex abuse images. An investigation into him has been opened in the Philippines, where he previously lived. He denies all allegations.
Philippine Investigation Underway
Philippine interior minister Jonvic Remulla said a forensic investigation into Mr Markle Sr will be completed in a week and provide a "definitive picture".
The Met is now "reviewing the handling of this matter", including whether it needs to refer itself to the police watchdog for not acting on the letter.
Jim Gamble, a former police chief who is now an international campaigner against child sexual abuse, said the Met referring itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was "absolutely necessary".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If it turns out through the investigation ongoing in the Philippines and with the FBI that an individual is ultimately held to account for those offences, then there's seven years during which children will have continued potentially to suffer abuse.
"So there's a serious question to be asked about the process here, and ultimately, it's not just about administration – it's about children having an extended exposure to an individual, if it's proven, who represented a risk."
He also said the force should have shared that information with the FBI, saying it was a "well-worn path".
He added: "If you get information that comes to you about someone from a foreign jurisdiction who represents a threat to children, there's a well-worn path and you'd expect a UK police force to share that information.
"I would have expected the Metropolitan Police either to have gone to the FBI Legat, the legal attaché in the embassy here, to say, 'look, this isn't proven – it's an allegation. You might want to look at it because in America you may have more information to add to this, so you can see whether you can corroborate it'.
"But ultimately, it also should have gone to the National Crime Agency. Whilst it seems simple, there is a complex network whereby you can share information, and you should share information."
Meghan 'Upset and Frustrated'
So far, the IOPC says it has not received any referral from the Metropolitan Police regarding the matter, and it is understood that Meghan is "upset and really frustrated" that it appears nothing was done with the letter.
A friend of the Duchess told the Telegraph: "She's obviously pleased that the Met is now considering referring itself to the police watchdog."
In a statement, Scotland Yard 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 MPS is reviewing the handling of this matter in 2019 and considering whether a referral to the IOPC is necessary to review our approach."
Investigation Could Extend Abroad
It is now believed that police in the Philippines could ask their counterparts in the UK for help examining any evidence. Authorities in the Philippines have already launched an investigation and are currently analysing digital images which were reportedly found at the home of the Duchess's estranged father in Cebu.
Their investigations began after Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, aged 60, reported to authorities last week that he had apparently discovered a stash of child sexual abuse images, handing over four boxes of evidence. Yesterday, ex-Met Police cop Dai Davies told the Mirror that the investigation may also extend to the US and Mexico.
The FBI are now expected to announce they are investigating after confirming they were aware of the allegations. Thomas Markle's son reportedly alerted them back in July.
Thomas Markle Sr, who is now based in the US, denies all such "sick" allegations and vowed to 'do whatever it takes' to clear his name. He told the Mail the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico with his son in 2025 and moved overseas "for a fresh start".
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. This is bulls**t. It's just a bunch of lies. It's sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies."
Meghan is the only child of Mr Markle's marriage to Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, though he has two children – Samantha Markle and Thomas Jr – from an earlier marriage.
The Duchess became estranged from her former TV lighting director dad in the run-up to her 2018 wedding after he was caught staging paparazzi photographs in the days before the ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
He had been due to give his daughter away but did not attend the wedding, claiming he was unwell. It left the King to partially accompany Meghan down the aisle and the only family member she had present at the nuptials was her mum, Doria.
In January 2025, Mr Markle moved to the Philippines for a new life after suffering a series of strokes. Last December, he had his leg amputated during life-saving surgery. At the time, Meghan "reached out" to him, a spokesperson for the duchess revealed, saying she had tried to do so previously.
He is reportedly now living in a rehab centre in Florida, where he is learning to walk again. Thomas Sr has not spoken to his daughter Meghan since she married Prince Harry in 2018, and has never met his grandchildren Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Princess Lilibet.
He has made repeated appeals for his daughter to get in touch, and said last year: "I don't want to die estranged from Meghan."
