Signs suggest Thomas Markle Sr may be ‘sex offender of the grossest kind’, says Philippine minister
Özet haber: Exclusive: Forensic analysis of found images continues as Meghan’s father denies possessing child sexual abuse images
Exclusive: Forensic analysis of found images continues as Meghan’s father denies possessing child sexual abuse images
All signs point to Thomas Markle Sr being a “possible sex offender of the grossest kind” although a full forensic investigation will give a “definitive picture”, the Philippine interior minister has told the Guardian.
Authorities in the south-east Asian country are analysing digital images allegedly belonging to the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex that were said to have been found at his former home in Cebu. Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, reported to authorities last week that he had apparently discovered a stash of child sexual abuse images.
“In these cases where family disputes are mixed up, we have to consider all the angles,” said Jonvic Remulla, the interior minister. “Right now all signs point to a possible sex offender of the grossest kind. We want to be sure before we release the findings. The forensics data will be complete in a week.”
Remulla said a statement would be released once the data had been analysed, without giving a specific date. “Please give us a week to determine the contents and to come up with a definitive picture,” he said. “We will release a statement then.”
Markle Sr has denied possessing child sexual abuse images, telling the Daily Mail the accusations were “sick lies”.
Philippine police are also investigating a laptop found at the home in Cebu where Markle Sr had been living until he returned to the US earlier this year.
In a statement given to Agence France-Presse, Remulla said the Philippine national police inspected Markle’s former home and found a “trove of child pornography materials as well as a laptop”.
“The PNP will coordinate with their counterparts to locate and take appropriate legal actions against Mr Markle if found that there is sufficient evidence to charge him,” he said.
Markle told the Mail the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico with his son in 2025 and moved to the Philippines “for a fresh start”.
He 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 bullshit. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”
Meghan has said she is “deeply distressed” over the allegations, which were first reported in the Sun. She said she had broken off contact with her father to protect her children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. He has never met them.
On Saturday, the Metropolitan police confirmed they gave a letter to Meghan in 2019 concerning “alleged offending” involving her father, but said they did not pass it on to other law enforcement agencies. Scotland Yard is considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review its actions.
