Meghan Markle’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., is speaking out after accusing their father, Thomas Markle Sr., of possessing child sexual abuse materials.
“It’s incredible that he is still in denial,” Thomas Jr., 60, told The Sun on Friday, October 23, after his father, 82, called out the “sick” accusations. “I’m sure the huge piles of evidence I’ve taken to the police today will reveal the truth once the police experts examine it.”
He continued, “I would never have handed it all to the police if I wasn’t 1,000 percent confident that it has nothing to do with me. I’m sure that my father does not have the same confidence — but if he does then I challenge him to clear up the mystery of how it all got there.”
Thomas Jr. told the outlet earlier this week that he allegedly discovered child pornography at his father’s house in the Philippines and handed the contents over to the police.
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” Thomas Sr. told the Daily Mail of the allegations, issuing a staunch denial. “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 Jr., for his part, is standing firm on his accusations.
“If that vile filth dating back 40 or even 50 years isn’t his, then who put it there, where would they have got it and why would they have done it?” he said on Friday. “I’m hoping that my father ends up in court either here, or most likely, back home in the U.S. to face justice. That would be the best place if he wants to issue a denial and clear his name.”
Thomas Sr. has not yet been charged in connection to any alleged crime, with U.K. police now looking into the claims. Meghan, 45, claimed she previously received a letter detailing the allegations.
“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me,” the Duchess of Sussex noted in a statement to Us on Friday. “It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.”
Meghan, who shares two children with husband Prince Harry, further claimed the accusations played a role in her estrangement from Thomas Sr.
“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,” she added in her statement. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
Meghan concluded, “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. 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.”
The letter reportedly accused Thomas Sr. of sexually abusing a minor. U.K. police have since confirmed to The Sun that the letter was received in January 2019 and subsequently shared with Meghan.
“The details of the allegations in the letter were not shared with other law enforcement agencies,” a police spokesperson noted in a statement.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
