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Meghan Markle's father Thomas probed over huge stash of child s*x images after being reported to cops by own son
The father of Meghan Markle, Thomas Markle Sr., is reportedly under investigation over allegations that he possessed child sexual abuse material after his own son allegedly discovered the images and reported him to authorities.
According to The Sun, Thomas Markle Jr., the Duchess of Sussex’s half-brother, reported the disturbing discovery at their father’s home in Cebu, the Philippines.
What is being reported?
The outlet claims that four large boxes allegedly contained “hundreds, if not thousands” of images involving child sexual abuse.
Thomas Jr. allegedly found videos including depictions of girls believed to be no older than 10 or 11 engaging in sexual acts, alongside a 15-minute video showing naked girls on his father’s old mobile phone.
The 60-year-old also claimed to have found three photographs of naked girls, with one image allegedly appearing to have been taken at his father’s former property in Rosarito, Mexico.
Thomas Jr. told The Sun that he reported his 82-year-old father to the police following the discovery, although Philippine police had not immediately responded to a request for confirmation from People.
A representative for Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, also declined to comment when approached by the publication, but Meghan has since shared a statement.
According to The Sun, Thomas Jr. additionally reported the alleged discovery to the FBI tip line, the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and state police in Pennsylvania, where his father had previously been living.
Explaining why he contacted the authorities, Thomas Jr. told the outlet: “When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad.
“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years - but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.
“What I saw made me sick to the stomach - all this stuff was just dumped on me and I didn’t know what to do.”
He added: “I knew right away it was highly illegal and would land me in jail for a long time if I didn’t get rid of it. I felt betrayed, angry and disgusted - and realized I had to report him.”
The Sun also reported that the FBI had confirmed receiving Thomas Jr.’s report and was preparing to launch its own investigation, with a source described as being “close to the case” telling the publication: “An FBI agent has already requested the contact details of investigators leading the case in the Philippines.”
The outlet also reported that investigators from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking had appointed a task force on Thursday, led by the specialist Women and Children’s Protection Center.
Mr Markle has since come out and denied possessing the images, calling the accusations "sick lies".
Meghan issues statement
In a statement issued to Sky News, 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.
"In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me.
"It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.
"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. I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.
"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."