IOPC to investigate Met’s handling of allegations in 2019 Markle letter
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will investigate the Metropolitan Police’s failure to pass on allegations of serious offending contained in a 2019 letter about Thomas Markle Sr to overseas authorities. The Met had given the letter to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but did not share its allegations with other law enforcement agencies at the time.
The Met says it now intends to refer the claims to relevant overseas forces. The IOPC has sent a separate matter, concerning a possible data breach when the letter was passed to the Sussexes, back to the Met to handle. The allegations have also prompted an investigation in the Philippines, where a court has authorised examination of digital material provided by Thomas Markle Jr; the article says the FBI may join that probe.
In short
- IOPC to investigate the Met’s handling of a 2019 letter.
- The letter contained allegations about Thomas Markle Sr.
- A separate data breach matter will be handled by the Met.
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The case for
A formal IOPC investigation is justified because allegations of serious offending in a letter were not passed to overseas authorities when the Met received them. Examining whether officers followed proper procedures can establish accountability and help ensure relevant agencies receive information they need to assess potential risks.
The case against
The Met’s handling should be judged in light of what officers could reasonably establish from the letter at the time, including whether the allegations were credible, within their remit or suitable for referral. A separate investigation may risk overstating a procedural failure before those questions are settled, while the Met’s stated plan to refer the claims could address the practical concern.
Explained simply
The Metropolitan Police, often called the Met, is the force responsible for policing London. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is an independent body that investigates how police forces handle complaints and serious concerns about their conduct.
Thomas Markle Sr is the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. In 2019, a letter about him contained allegations of serious offending; the Met gave the letter to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, while overseas authorities were not told at the time.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Police watchdog confirms it WILL investigate Met over letter passed to Meghan Markle about her father Thomas in 2019”.