Meghan Markle's father is investigated for keeping images of child sexual abuse

Philippine authorities are investigating Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, wife of Prince Harry of the United Kingdom, following accusations that he possessed images of child sexual abuse, the Philippine Undersecretary of Justice said on Friday.

"Our Anti-Trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) task force in Cebu is currently investigating the case," Philippine Undersecretary of Justice Nicholas Ty told Reuters.

Reuters was unable to immediately reach Thomas Markle for comment, but the British Daily Mail newspaper quoted him as saying the allegations against him were false and "sick lies."

Meghan, who is American, married King Charles' youngest son in 2018. In a statement, she said she was "deeply shaken" by the accusations, first published by the British newspaper "The Sun" this Friday (23).

Meghan said in her statement that she had known about the allegations against her 82-year-old father since 2018 and had prevented him from having contact with her children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, to protect them.

She has not been in contact with her father since the run-up to her wedding in 2018. Days before the ceremony, Thomas Markle said he would not attend for health reasons, after previously admitting he had posed for paparazzi photos.

Philippine Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla told Reuters that it was Markle's son, Meghan's half-brother, also called Thomas, who provided police with evidence of the allegations, including a laptop, confirming details published by The Sun.

Meghan's father, who lived for some time in Cebu, Philippines, would now be back in the United States, Remulla added.

Meghan said she was shown a letter sent to British police in 2018 with "disturbing and worrying" allegations against her father, adding that she was told they were being investigated.

British police said they were aware of "press reports that officers from the Metropolitan Police Royal and Specialist Protection Command were involved in forwarding a letter in 2018."

"We are carrying out internal inquiries in an attempt to confirm this," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.

Meghan said she was "deeply saddened by the news that has come to light over the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with all the children who may have been victims of violence."

"My sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority will continue to be the safety and protection of innocent children," she said.

"The Sun" also reported that Thomas Markle's son had contacted the FBI in the United States over the allegations. The FBI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Harry and Meghan and their children moved to England in August after living in California for six years.