IOPC to probe Met handling of child abuse image letter

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the Metropolitan Police's actions concerning a letter detailing allegations against Thomas Markle Sr. The police watchdog will examine the Met's failure to forward information about alleged serious offending to relevant overseas law enforcement agencies.

The letter, received by the Metropolitan Police in 2019, reportedly contained allegations against Mr Markle Sr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex. Police in the Philippines are currently investigating claims that suspected child sexual abuse images were found at his former residence in the country.

Allegations and Admissions

Thomas Markle Sr has admitted to paying for sexual services while in the Philippines. However, he has denied ever possessing child sexual abuse images. These allegations surfaced after his son, Thomas Markle Jr, told The Sun newspaper that he found a collection of such images belonging to his father at his former home and reported it to local police and the FBI.

An IOPC spokesperson confirmed the decision for an independent investigation following a voluntary conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police. The spokesperson stated, "We have decided an independent investigation is required into its failure to pass on allegations of serious offending, contained in a letter it received in 2019, to relevant overseas authorities at the time."

The IOPC also indicated that a separate conduct matter, concerning an alleged data breach where information was passed to a third party, would be returned to the Metropolitan Police for them to handle. This may involve addressing the issue through the force's data breach policies.