Met Police Refers Itself to Watchdog Over 2019 Letter on Thomas Markle as Philippines Probe Continues

The Metropolitan Police said on 29 October that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its handling of a 2019 letter containing allegations about Thomas Markle Sr, the 82-year-old father of the Duchess of Sussex. The force said the letter, which raised concerns about the duchess's security, contained no specific security information but made a number of claims about alleged offending outside the UK. The Met passed it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and did not tell other law enforcement agencies. The referral concerns both decisions. The Met said it now intends to make referrals to relevant overseas agencies.

The move follows a report in The Sun last week in which Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr, said he found child sexual abuse images at his father's former home in Cebu, Philippines, and reported them to Philippine police and the FBI. Markle Sr has admitted paying for sex in the Philippines but denies possessing illicit material. Philippine police are investigating, and a court there is expected to issue a warrant this week allowing police to examine VHS tapes and computers taken from the home.

Left-leaning coverage, represented by The Guardian US, leads with the Met's self-referral and quotes its statement on the letter's contents and the decision not to inform other agencies. It also notes Markle Sr's admission about paying for sex and his denial. The right-leaning Daily Mail also leads with the referral but adds the letter's reported author, Markle's late first wife Roslyn Loveless, and graphic descriptions of the alleged material. Fox News turns to royal fallout, citing commentator Kinsey Schofield saying Buckingham Palace was blindsided, and prints Markle's denial. The BBC, in a distinct angle, offers a video report from Cebu on the expected warrant and the seized materials.