Meghan Markle's half-brother named person of interest in child porn probe

Meghan Markle’s half-brother has been named a person of interest in their father, Thomas Markle Sr.’s, ongoing child porn investigation.

Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the shocking update on Thursday.

There are “indications” Thomas Markle Jr., 60, may also be involved in the disturbing allegations, Remulla said.

“To accuse the father only is only half the police work,” Remulla said, as per News5 Philippines.

A witness alleged that underage girls had been brought to a residence that’s linked to the investigation.

“There are signs that point that the son is involved in the crime as well but only as a person of interest so far,” Remulla said.

Remulla said he is not yet being treated as a suspect.

According to Remulla, around 7,500 sensitive materials of underage males and females were uncovered on devices found in Markle Sr.’s belongings.

“They presented it to me but I didn’t want to look because I can’t unsee it,” Remulla said.

“It is the most deplorable displays of impunity towards sexual activity that I have ever seen. It’s really, really disturbing.”

Remulla said the FBI is helping the Philippines government identify the devices’ registration, as six phones had come from the U.S.

In October, The Daily Mail claimed to have found disturbing child pornography during a raid of a Mexico storage unit rented by the Duchess’ 82-year-old estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., according to a report.

Authorities in the Philippines launched an investigation last month after Markle Jr. allegedly found a trove of child sex images in his father’s former home in Cebu.

Markle Jr. allegedly found the materials inside several boxes and turned them over to local police.

Thomas Sr. denied the allegations at the time, calling his son’s claims “sick lies.”

“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” he told the Daily Mail.

“I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”

The Duchess of Sussex, 45, previously said she was “deeply disturbed” by the investigation into her estranged father.

Meghan Markle also revealed that she had been aware of similar allegations years earlier, which influenced her decision to cut ties with her family.

She consequently has kept Thomas Sr. away from her and Prince Harry’s two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.

The Post has contacted Thomas Markle Jr. and the Philippine authorities for comment.

Meanwhile, Thomas Markle received a visit from Samantha Markle for long “crisis talks,” it has been claimed.

Meghan’s half-sister, 61, visited her dad in his care home in Florida on Wednesday.

Sources have claimed they discussed an FBI investigation after her brother Thomas Jr. handed over an alleged stash of child abuse images to Filipino police.

They told The Sun: “It was very odd. She was there for an unusually long time — they had a lot to discuss.”

They added: “Since the meeting she’s stopped speaking about the allegations on social media. Someone clearly has told her to stay quiet.”

Police in the Philippines say they are “very close” to bringing formal charges against Thomas Sr., 82, following a tip-off from his son, Thomas Jr.

Thomas Jr., his father’s full-time carer, submitted several legal affidavits to the Filipino authorities.

He said: “It’s been a long process but I’m determined to cooperate fully in the hope that justice will be done.”

The FBI is also searching lock-ups rented by Thomas Sr. for potential child abuse images, alongside the probes in the Philippines and Mexico.

US agents were alerted to two units in Los Angeles following a tip-off from Thomas Jr.

Mexican authorities began a criminal investigation after child sex abuse images were found among Thomas Sr.’s things, which appeared to date from when he was in his 40s or 50s.

Meghan was left “deeply distressed” by the allegations and revealed that she had been sent a letter by the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection seven years ago.

The letter made “troubling and disturbing allegations” about her father, but she was assured that they were being investigated.

The Metropolitan Police has admitted it never shared the details with other law enforcement agencies, with the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), now investigating the force’s conduct.

The Duchess had wanted to “speak out” immediately after reading the letter, but police advised her against this, sources said.

Meghan has been estranged from her father since the run-up to her 2018 wedding, when he was caught staging paparazzi photographs and then had a heart attack, meaning the King, then the Prince of Wales, stepped in to walk Meghan down the aisle.

A spokesperson for the Duchess confirmed at the time she had “reached out to her father.”

Prince Harry surfaced in the UK yesterday evening for the first time since child abuse accusations involving his father-in-law, Thomas Markle, became public knowledge.

Speaking in his capacity as Travalyst’s founder, the Duke presented a Keynote address at the Wanderlust Travel Media Awards held at the Old Royal Naval College in London.