The Metropolitan Police has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its handling of a 2019 letter containing allegations against the Duchess of Sussex's father, Thomas Markle Sr, as Philippine police investigate suspected child sexual abuse images reportedly found at his former home.
Commander Adam Slonecki, who leads the Met's Protection Command, said the force received the letter in January 2019 addressed to its Fixated Threats Assessment Centre. The author suggested they were writing to raise concerns relating to the security of the Duchess of Sussex. While the letter did not contain any information specifically related to security matters, it did contain a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom.
The letter was assessed and passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness, but the details of the allegations were not shared with other law enforcement agencies. After an initial review by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards, a voluntary referral has been made to the IOPC in respect of the decision not to inform other agencies and the decision to pass the letter to the Sussexes.
"In addition, it is our intention to make a number of referrals to relevant overseas law enforcement agencies in relation to the allegations contained within the letter. That process is under way and will be completed in the coming days," Commander Slonecki said.
The development comes after Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, told the Sun last week that he had found a stash of child sexual abuse images belonging to their father at his former home in the Philippines and reported it to local police and the FBI. On Thursday, police in the Philippines obtained a warrant to examine devices seized from Mr Markle Sr's home, according to reports.
Mr Markle Sr, who is now in the United States, has strongly denied the allegations. He described them as "sick lies" and told the Mail on Sunday that he had "never had sex with anyone under the age of 18". He admitted that when he was single he travelled to the Philippines and "slept with prostitutes", saying: "I like Asian women but that is not a crime. I am not well enough to go to the Philippines but I will speak to anyone who wants to talk to me. I have nothing to hide."
Mr Markle Sr is learning to walk again at a nursing facility in Florida after having his leg amputated during life-saving surgery in 2025. He said he would welcome any forensic examination of his computer, telling the Mail on Sunday: "If there is anything bad on there, it was put there by someone else."
The BBC and other media reported the 2019 letter was written by Mr Markle Sr's first ex-wife, Roslyn Loveless, who has since died. The Times reported that the Met had misplaced the original letter and that Meghan kept a copy, which she provided to police when asked. She is said to be "upset and really frustrated" by the Met's handling of the investigation, having been assured at the time that the allegations were being investigated.
Analysis
Why it matters
- The referral means an independent investigation into whether the Met should have shared the allegations with other agencies in 2019, potentially affecting the timeline of the current Philippine probe.
- The case involves serious child sexual abuse allegations against a high-profile figure, with implications for cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
- The handling of the letter raises questions about police procedures when receiving reports of offences committed overseas.
Background
The Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father since 2018. In January 2019, the Met received a letter written by Mr Markle Sr's first ex-wife that contained allegations of offending outside the UK. The letter was passed to the Sussexes' office but not to other law enforcement agencies. Last week, Thomas Markle Jr reported finding child sexual abuse images at his father's former home in the Philippines, prompting a police investigation there. The Met now says it will make referrals to overseas agencies.
Key perspectives
- Metropolitan Police: Commander Adam Slonecki said the force had made a voluntary referral to the IOPC over the decision not to inform other law enforcement agencies and the decision to pass the letter to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It intends to make referrals to relevant overseas agencies.
- Thomas Markle Sr: He has denied the allegations as 'sick lies', said he has 'never had sex with anyone under the age of 18', and questioned whether any incriminating material on his computer was placed there by someone else.
- Thomas Markle Jr: He told the Sun he found a stash of child sexual abuse images at his father's former home and reported it to local police and the FBI.
- Duchess of Sussex: According to reports, she is 'upset and really frustrated' by the Met's handling, having been assured at the time that the allegations were being investigated.
What to watch
- The IOPC's decision on whether to launch a formal investigation into the Met's handling of the letter.
- The outcome of the Philippine police forensic examination of devices seized from Mr Markle Sr's home.
- Whether the Met completes its planned referrals to overseas law enforcement agencies in the coming days.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the watchdog over its handling of the Thomas Markle letter.World news | The Guardian: “The Metropolitan police say they have voluntarily referred themselves to the official watchdog for failing to pass on a letter detailing allegations against the Duchess of Sussex’s father.”
- SupportedPhilippine police obtained a warrant to examine devices seized from Thomas Markle Sr’s home.The Independent UK: “On Thursday, police in the Philippines obtained a warrant to examine devices seized from Mr Markle Sr’s home”
- SupportedPolice are investigating suspected child sexual abuse images reportedly found at Thomas Markle Sr’s former home.World news | The Guardian: “The announcement comes as police in the Philippines investigate suspected child sexual abuse images reportedly found at Thomas Markle Sr’s former home.”
- SupportedCommander Slonecki said the Met intended to refer the allegations to overseas law enforcement agencies and that the process would be completed in the coming days.World news | The Guardian: ““In addition, it is our intention to make a number of referrals to relevant overseas law enforcement agencies in relation to the allegations contained within the letter. That process is under way and will be completed in the coming days.””
- SupportedMarkle Sr described the allegations as “sick lies.”The Independent UK: “Mr Markle Sr, who is now in the US, has strongly denied the allegations made by his son, describing them as "sick lies".”
- SupportedMarkle Sr told the Mail on Sunday that he had “never had sex with anyone under the age of 18”.The Independent UK: “Mr Markle Sr told the Mail on Sunday that he had “never had sex with anyone under the age of 18”.”
- SupportedMarkle Sr said, “I like Asian women but that is not a crime. I am not well enough to go to the Philippines but I will speak to anyone who wants to talk to me. I have nothing to hide.”The Independent UK: ““I like Asian women but that is not a crime,” he said. “I am not well enough to go to the Philippines but I will speak to anyone who wants to talk to me. I have nothing to hide.””
- SupportedMarkle Sr said, “If there is anything bad on there, it was put there by someone else.”The Independent UK: “He said he would also welcome any forensic examination of his computer, telling the Mail on Sunday: “If there is anything bad on there, it was put there by someone else.””
- SupportedThomas Markle Jr told the Sun last week that he found child sexual abuse images at his father’s former home in the Philippines and reported it to local police and the FBI.World news | The Guardian: “Thomas Markle Jr told the Sun last week that he had found a stash of child sexual abuse images belonging to their father at his former home in the Philippines and reported it to local police and the FBI.”
- SupportedMarkle Sr admitted that when he was single he travelled to the Philippines and “slept with prostitutes”.The Independent UK: “He told the paper that when he was single he travelled to the Philippines at least twice and “slept with prostitutes”.”
- SupportedMarkle Sr is learning to walk again at a nursing facility in Florida after a leg amputation during life-saving surgery in 2025.The Independent UK: “Mr Markle Sr is learning to walk again at a nursing facility in Florida after he had his leg amputated during life-saving surgery in 2025.”
- SupportedThe Times reported that the Met misplaced the original letter and Meghan kept a copy that she provided to police when asked.The Independent UK: “It had also emerged that the Met had misplaced the original letter, The Times reported, with Meghan having kept a copy that she was able to provide to police when asked.”