Meghan says she is ‘deeply distressed’ by allegations against estranged father
publishers 104articles 169first reported 23 Oct, 08:45 UTCdeveloping since 23 Oct · 9 editionstop 25 #3
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said she was “deeply distressed” by allegations that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., possessed child sexual abuse images, and said the claims were why she kept him away from her children.
The allegations were made publicly by Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., who told The Sun he found the images at their father’s former home in the Philippines and reported them to police. Thomas Markle Sr., 82, has denied possessing the images, calling the accusations “sick lies.” No investigative findings have been announced.
Meghan said a letter containing “troubling and disturbing allegations” was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018, then shared with her. She said she had been assured the claims were being investigated and trusted authorities to protect other families.
“I hope it can now be understood” that her distance from her father and refusal to let him contact her children were intended “to protect them,” Meghan said. She added that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed and expressed hope that justice would be served.
The Metropolitan Police said its records showed it received the letter in January 2019 and forwarded it to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office, but did not share the allegations with other law-enforcement agencies. The force is reviewing its handling of the matter and considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The Philippines Department of Justice has confirmed an investigation by a task force focused on human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Authorities there have secured Thomas Markle Sr.’s computer for forensic examination, according to the country’s interior minister.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one (7 if wire copies count as one too); this version written 28 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 104
- Source articles
- 169
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8 (7 if wire copies count as one)
- This version written
- 28 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →