Metropolitan Police Refers Itself to Watchdog Over Handling of Thomas Markle Letter

The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police complaints watchdog over its handling of a letter containing allegations about Thomas Markle. The force submitted a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding its decision to pass the document to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2019 without informing other law enforcement agencies.

Background

The handwritten letter was written by Roslyn Loveless, Thomas Markle's first wife, and sent to the Met's royal protection team. The Duchess of Sussex stated last week that the letter contained troubling allegations against her father, which gave her sufficient reason to end contact and prevent him from meeting his grandchildren. Thomas Markle has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as sick lies, with support from his daughter Samantha.

Investigation

Jim Gamble, the former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, stated that police should have shared such warnings with relevant foreign authorities like the FBI. Meanwhile, authorities in the Philippines have launched an investigation after Thomas Markle Jr handed over four boxes of material, including computers and phones, to police in Cebu following hospital treatment received there by his father.

Context

Police forces often face strict internal reviews and mandatory or voluntary watchdog referrals when questions arise about how they handled sensitive information or third-party allegations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct independently investigates complaints and conduct matters involving police forces in England and Wales.