Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, has denied allegations of child sex abuse and pledged to clear his name. In a statement to the Mail on Sunday, the 82-year-old said: "I have never had sex with anyone under the age of 18."
However, the retired Hollywood lighting director admitted travelling to the Philippines on at least two occasions while unmarried and paying for sex. He added: "I like Asian women but that is not a crime."
Speaking from a Florida care home where he is recovering from a leg amputation, Mr Markle maintained his innocence and committed to co-operating fully with investigators.
Defence and allegations
Throughout the detailed interview, Mr Markle set out his defence, confirming that he is prepared to undergo a lie detector test and communicate directly with investigators, reports the Express.
He also said that he suspects his son, Thomas Markle Jnr - who reported him to the police - may be responsible for an original letter sent to Scotland Yard containing a number of claims about alleged offending, and that any illicit images discovered on his computer were "planted".
He also asserted that the books characterised by his son as "pornographic" are standard texts on Hollywood history and photography and that he believes Meghan used the unproven claims as justification to permanently exclude him from his grandchildren, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
Police scrutiny and family rift
The latest developments emerge as the Metropolitan Police face scrutiny over their handling of the initial allegations. Earlier this week, Meghan revealed she had been made aware of "troubling and disturbing" claims in 2018, which she said solidified her decision to cut ties with her father.
Yet the Met Police recently acknowledged that, upon receiving the letter outlining the claims in 2019, they failed to forward information regarding "alleged offending outside the UK" to international law enforcement agencies.
Mr Markle has since questioned why the Duchess never approached him directly about the letter, insisting he was denied the chance to defend himself against the accusations. "She never said a word to me about this letter accusing me of such terrible things," Mr Markle said.
"If Meghan or anyone else had come to me in 2018 and told me about the letter I would have had a chance to defend myself. Why did Meghan not ask me about it? I will do whatever it takes to clear my name. I have nothing to hide. I am an innocent man and she gave me no chance to defend myself. I have been asking to see my grandchildren before I die."
Responding to an alleged 35mm photograph purportedly depicting a bearded man bearing a resemblance to him alongside a female, Mr Markle categorically denied any involvement, stating: "I have never been in a photograph like that."
International investigation
Philippine authorities have confirmed that Mr Markle is currently under investigation by Cebu City's anti-trafficking and anti-child abuse task force. The probe was launched after his 60-year-old son claimed to have found child abuse images on computers his father left behind when he relocated to the United States.
Tom Jnr stated he was "horrified" by the discovery and had "no option" but to report his father to the authorities, while the FBI is also poised to review the matter.
