FBI releases statement after ‘disturbing allegations’ against Meghan’s father Thomas Markle

FBI releases statement after ‘disturbing allegations’ against Meghan’s father Thomas Markle The Duchess of Sussex said she is ‘deeply disturbed’ by the allegations made against her father - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in The FBI has released a statement after “disturbing allegations” made against the Duchess of Sussex’s father Thomas Markle. Meghan issued an extraordinary statement on Friday (23 October) after it was reported that Thomas Markle, who she has been estranged from since her marriage to Prince Harry, was being investigated over claims made in 2018 that he kept child sex abuse images at his former home in the Philippines . The Duchess of Sussex has said she is “deeply distressed” over “disturbing allegations” made against her father in 2018, which she said were passed to the Metropolitan Police. The duchess said a letter, sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018, was shared with her and she was “given assurances that these were being investigated”. The Metropolitan Police said it is making internal inquiries regarding officers from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command being involved in the passing on of a letter. Referencing the latest allegations, she said her thoughts were with “any children who may have been harmed” and revealed that she had not allowed her 82-year-old father to meet the couple’s two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to “protect them”. Hitting back at the claims in an interview with the Daily Mail, Mr Markle denied possessing child sex images, calling the accusations made against him as “sick lies”. The FBI released a statement on Friday evening following the allegations. An FBI spokesman said: “The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities. “We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law.” Meghan’s half-brother Thomas Jr told The Sun that their father was being investigated, claiming he had found “hundreds” of child sex images on computers and a cellphone, which were left behind at his home on Cebu when his father moved from the Philippines earlier this year. Mr Markle Jnr said he submitted a statement to police in the Philippines and told The Sun: “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.” In an interview with the Daily Mail, Mr Markle Snr denied possessing child sex images, calling the accusations “sick lies”. The newspaper reported that Mr Markle Jnr was searching for a phone for his girlfriend’s father in boxes of his own father’s belongings, which led him to discover the images and videos. He is said to have reported his discovery to the FBI Hotline and to the state police in Pennsylvania, as well as the US-based National Centre for Exploited and Missing Children in July. In response to the accusations, Mr Markle said: “I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of. “This is bulls***. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.” Thomas Sr’s eldest daughter Samantha Markle defended her father and accused Thomas Jr of “making up lies” to make money. It is understood the Metropolitan Police has not previously, nor is the force currently, investigating Mr Markle.