The FBI has offered assistance to Philippine officials reportedly investigating allegations that Meghan Markle‘s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., possessed child sex abuse material (CSAM).
“The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities,” an FBI spokesperson told Us on Friday, October 23. “We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law.”
Us has reached out to the FBI for comment.
Shocking news broke on Thursday, October 22, that Thomas Sr., 82, was being probed by law enforcement officials in the Philippines after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., allegedly found CSAM images in his Cebu home and turned him in. (Thomas Sr. moved back to the U.S. earlier this year after having a portion of his left leg amputated.)
“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,” Thomas Jr., 60, told The Sun. “I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
The accusations were strongly denied by Thomas Jr.’s sister Samantha Markle and by Thomas Sr. himself, who dismissed his son’s claims as “sick lies.”
“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 on Friday. “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
Thomas Sr. added, “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.”
In light of these allegations, Meghan, 45, claimed in a statement to Us that a letter containing “troubling and disturbing allegations” about her father was passed on to her by London’s Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018.
“I was given assurances that these [allegations] were being investigated,” the Duchess of Sussex said. “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.”
Meghan continued, “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.”
On Friday, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed to Us that it was aware of press reports that “officers from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in the passing on of a letter [to Meghan] in 2018.”
The spokesperson added, “We are undertaking enquiries internally in an effort to confirm this.”
More allegations emerged on Friday when The Sun reported that the Met received a letter in 2018 that accused Thomas Sr. of sexually assaulting a child. The writer alleged that Thomas Sr. specifically traveled to the Philippines and Thailand to abuse children.
Thomas Sr. has not publicly addressed the accusations. Us has reached out to him for comment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
