Child sex abuse images among material found in Thomas Markle investigation

Child sex abuse images among material found in Thomas Markle investigation Police were granted a warrant to examine the alleged stash of child sex abuse material last Thursday - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Police have allegedly found child sex abuse images among the material taken from Thomas Markle’s home in the Philippines. The Philippine National Police (PNP) are understood to be combing through mobile phones, computer hard drives, digital storage cards, and other possessions that were found at Meghan Markle’s father’s home in Cebu City last month. Investigators are said to have identified several files containing child sex abuse images and are working to determine who produced and owned the material, and whether Mr Markle appeared in the imagery, The Times reported. The newspaper said no formal complaint has been made against Mr Markle. According to local media and reported in The Telegraph, Major General Wilson Asueta, of the Philippine National Police (PNP), told a press conference: “We were able to find that there are files consisting of several CSEAM [Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act] materials.” Authorities in the Philippines launched an investigation into the 82-year-old last month after his son, Thomas Markle Jnr, allegedly discovered “hundreds” of child sex images left behind at his father’s home when he moved from the country earlier this year. Police were granted a warrant last Thursday to examine the alleged stash of images, with Cebu regional prosecutor Graeme Elmido telling the BBC that Mr Markle Jnr was “adamant” the case be investigated. Mr Markle Jnr told The Sun he was “horrified” by what he found and had “no option” but to report his father, telling the newspaper: “I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.” His father, who had to return to the US after suffering a stroke and a blood clot, which led to the amputation of his left leg, has strongly denied the accusations and called them a “bunch of lies”. “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,” he said. A second stash of child sex abuse images was also reportedly found in a storage unit that Mr Markle is said to have rented near his former home in Rosarito, Mexico. The Duchess of Sussex, who has been estranged from her father since 2018, has said she is “deeply distressed” over the allegations. In a statement last month, she 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. She added: “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.” She reportedly wrote to her father last year to tell him she knew about the claims and that she would never allow him to meet his grandchildren. The Met Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its handling of the allegations after it admitted to passing a letter to the Sussexes without notifying other law enforcement agencies at the time. Mr Markle was reportedly moved to a specialist care home for dementia patients in Florida on Friday, according to The Sun. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments