2019 letter on Markle abuse went to Sussex office only

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that a letter containing allegations of offending against Thomas Markle Sr was sent directly to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2019. The force stated that the document was not shared with other law enforcement agencies.

The confirmation comes after reports that Markle Sr possessed child sexual abuse images. The Sun newspaper reported that his son, Thomas Markle Jr, found the images at their former home in Cebu, Philippines. Markle Jr, 60, told detectives he discovered hundreds or thousands of images on computers and phones stored in four boxes. He said he contacted the FBI in the US. Markle Sr lived in the Philippines until returning to the US in May following a stroke.

Markle Sr has denied the claims. He told the Daily Mail that the accusations were sick lies.

A Met spokesperson said the letter arrived in January 2019 and raised concerns about security for the Duchess. The force reviewed the document and decided to pass it to the Sussex office for their awareness. The police are now reviewing how the matter was handled and are considering a self-referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Meghan Markle said through a spokesperson that she is deeply distressed by the news. She stated that she was given assurances the allegations were being investigated. She said her decision to keep her father from meeting her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was made to protect them. The family recently moved back to the UK from the US.

Meghan initially said the letter was sent in 2018 but later confirmed it was 2019. Her spokesperson said the error was understandable given the time passed. Sources said Meghan could not speak publicly about the letter in 2019 to avoid jeopardizing a future investigation or facing legal action.

The Met is currently determining if the Independent Office for Police Conduct should review the handling of the 2019 letter.