Thomas Markle released on bail under electronic monitoring after abuse image charge

Thomas Markle Sr, the 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been charged in the United States with possession of child sexual abuse images. FBI agents arrested him at his care home in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday. He appeared at a courthouse in Tampa in a wheelchair and handcuffs, where the single charge was read to him. He did not enter a plea.

The judge released him on bail to return to the care home under electronic monitoring. He must also undergo a psychiatric evaluation. ITV reported that the judge ordered him not to have contact with minors and not to use internet-enabled devices. His next court appearance is expected in California, where the storage units at the centre of the case were rented. BBC One West reported that the defence and prosecution agreed he could be released before that hearing.

Sky News reported that the FBI seized 78 items in total from two Los Angeles storage units, about 27 from the first and 51 from the second, including slides, film negatives and books. Court documents allege that the material included explicit photographs of Markle with prepubescent girls. A witness who knows him identified him in the images, according to the FBI summary. Markle has denied the allegations, calling them sick lies.

The investigation began in the Philippines, where his son Thomas Markle Jr found material at a former home in Cebu. Police there are investigating. ITV reported that authorities in the Philippines will begin their own criminal proceedings, possibly as early as Monday. ITV also reported that Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, offered to help the FBI and could be the witness referenced in court documents. Sky News reported that Philippine officers have uncovered 7,500 images of child sexual abuse.

Meghan has said she was deeply distressed by the allegations and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She has said she distanced herself and her children from her father to protect them. BBC News reported that Buckingham Palace was reportedly blindsided by the arrest. Sky News reported that the Metropolitan Police had referred itself to the police watchdog over a 2019 letter sent to Meghan that was not shared with overseas authorities.