Meghan Markle says she was 'deeply distressed' by allegations against her father

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has said she is "deeply distressed" by the news that her father, Thomas Markle, is under investigation over claims he possessed images containing child sexual abuse in his home.

The images were reportedly found in his home in the Philippines after he returned to the U.S. in May, Philippine officials said.

Markle Sr. has denied the allegations, calling them "sick lies" and "the worst thing anyone could accuse me of."

In a statement through her spokesperson, Meghan Markle has said that she is "deeply distressed" by the news, and that she was first made aware of the claims by the Met Police in 2018.

"I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed," Meghan's statement said. "In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.

"I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications' distortion over the years, any distance from my father, and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them.

"I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.

"Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."

The allegations, reported by Mail Online, said Markle Sr. is under investigation after being reported by his own son, Thomas Markle Jr. 

In a statement to Mail Online, Markle Sr. said: "I'm shocked, I'm hurt and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.

He added: "It's just a bunch of lies. It's sick. I have no idea why Tom [Markle Sr.'s son] is trying to destroy me with these lies."

Yahoo has contacted the Met Office and authorities in the U.S. and the Philippines for comment.