Meghan Markle’s father arrested in US over child sex abuse material allegations

Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Florida and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material, according to the United States Department of Justice.

Markle, 82, was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday and faces one count of possession of child pornography, Reuters reported, citing a statement from the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

He is expected to appear before a federal court in Tampa on Friday.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said Markle was accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, including photographs allegedly depicting him with underage girls.

“These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr. Markle to the fullest extent of federal law,” Essayli said.

The FBI carried out the arrest, according to a Justice Department official. The Associated Press also reported that federal agents arrested Markle in Florida, citing two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly.

The arrest follows an investigation launched in the Philippines after allegations emerged that a collection of child sexual abuse images had been discovered among belongings at Markle’s former residence in Cebu.

The controversy came to public attention after Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly alerted authorities to the alleged discovery while clearing out his father’s former home.

Philippine authorities subsequently began investigating the allegations, with the country’s Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children task force in Cebu handling the matter.

Reuters reported in October that Philippine officials confirmed the investigation, while the FBI was also expected to examine possible violations of US federal law.

The Guardian reported on Thursday that Philippine authorities had uncovered more than 7,000 photographs and one video involving underage males and females, some reportedly as young as 10 and 11.

The country’s Interior and Local Government Secretary, Jonvic Remulla, also identified Markle Jr. as a person of interest in the Philippine investigation, although he stressed that his alleged involvement was still being examined and that he had not been treated as a suspect.

Markle Sr. has consistently denied possessing child sexual abuse material, describing the allegations as “sick lies” and suggesting that he had been set up.

His arrest and charge in the United States represent a significant escalation of the case, which has attracted international attention because of his relationship with the Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan, who married Britain’s Prince Harry in 2018, previously said she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations against her father.

She disclosed that she had been made aware of troubling allegations in 2018 through a letter sent to London’s Metropolitan Police, which was subsequently shared with her.

The Duchess said her decision to remain estranged from her father and prevent him from having contact with her children was motivated by a desire to protect them.

She also expressed hope that justice would be served and that the protection of children would remain the priority.