Met Police reviewing handling of 2019 letter on Markle Sr claims

The Metropolitan Police is reviewing its handling of a letter received in January 2019 that contained allegations of offending outside the United Kingdom involving Thomas Markle Sr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex. The force confirmed it passed the letter to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness but did not share the details with other law enforcement agencies.

The letter was received by the MPS Protection Command to raise concerns regarding the security of the Duchess of Sussex. Following a review, a decision was made to pass the correspondence to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Metropolitan Police stated that the details within the letter were not shared with any other law enforcement bodies.

Review of handling and potential watchdog referral

The force is currently undertaking a review of how the matter was handled in 2019. This review includes considering whether a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is necessary to examine the Met Police's approach to the letter. This review follows reports that authorities in the Philippines are investigating allegations that Thomas Markle Sr possessed a hoard of child sex abuse images.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stated that she was made aware of "disturbing allegations" about her father in 2018 and was shown a letter sent to Scotland Yard eight years prior containing "troubling" claims against him. She had been assured at the time that these allegations were being investigated.

According to The Sun newspaper, Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, alleged he found a collection of images belonging to their father at his former residence in the Philippines. He reportedly informed police in the Philippines that he discovered child abuse pictures and videos mixed with family mementos. The newspaper also reported that he contacted FBI investigators in the United States in July.