Meghan says she kept children from father over abuse-image allegations
publishers 113articles 198first reported 23 Oct, 08:45 UTCdeveloping since 23 Oct · 10 editions
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said she kept her children from her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., because of allegations that he possessed images of child sexual abuse. Markle has denied the accusations, calling them “sick lies,” according to The Guardian.
The allegations became public after Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., told The Sun he had found images at their father’s former home in the Philippines and reported them to police. Meghan said she was “deeply distressed” and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed.
In a statement, Meghan said a letter outlining troubling allegations against her father was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018, then shared with her. She said she was assured the claims were being investigated and that she ended contact with her father and barred him from seeing her children “to protect them.”
The Metropolitan Police said it received a letter in January 2019 concerning alleged offenses outside Britain and passed it to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office, but did not share the details 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.
Philippine authorities are investigating, The Punch reported. Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla told the BBC that police had secured Markle’s computer for forensic examination. No investigative findings have been announced.
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 40 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 113
- Source articles
- 198
- 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
- 40 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 →