Met Police confirm 2019 letter on Meghan Markle's father went only to her office

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it sent a letter in 2019 to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The document contained allegations of offending involving Thomas Markle Sr, the father of Meghan Markle. The force stated that it did not pass this information to other law enforcement agencies.

This confirmation follows reports published on Friday that Markle Sr possessed images of child sexual abuse. The Sun newspaper reported that Meghan Markle's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, found the images at a former home in Cebu, Philippines. Markle Jr, 60, told detectives there that he discovered hundreds or thousands of images on computers and mobile phones stored in four boxes. Markle Sr lived in the Philippines until returning to the US in May following a stroke. The report also noted that Markle Jr contacted the FBI in the United States.

The Metropolitan Police said it received the original letter in January 2019. The document made claims about offending that occurred outside Britain. A spokesperson for the force said the letter was sent to the Protection Command to raise security concerns. The letter was then reviewed, and a decision was made to pass it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness. The force is currently reviewing how the matter was handled and considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Meghan Markle responded to the news on Friday through a spokesperson. She said she was deeply distressed and her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She confirmed that a letter with troubling allegations about her father had been shared with her. She said she was given assurances the allegations were being investigated. Her spokesperson explained that keeping her father from having contact with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, was a decision made to protect them.

The Duchess initially stated the letter was sent in 2018, but later corrected this to 2019. Her spokesperson said it was understandable she might be mistaken by a few months when recalling events from more than seven years ago without a diary entry. The spokesperson added that if the Met holds a time-stamped record showing the review happened in 2019, that should be the accurate reference point. Sources close to the situation said Meghan could not speak publicly at the time to avoid jeopardizing a potential investigation or facing legal action.

Thomas Markle Sr has denied the allegations. He told the Daily Mail that the accusations were sick lies. The Duchess and Prince Harry recently moved back to the UK from the US.