Thomas Markle admits to paying for sex in the Philippines

But the 82-year-old has defiantly told the Mail on Sunday that he will do “whatever it takes” to clear his name, declaring: “I have never had sex with anyone under the age of 18.”

That investigation began after Thomas Jr, Meghan’s half-brother, reported finding the alleged material at their father’s former residence in the Philippines, according to The Sun.

The tranche of documents and images is said to include one photograph depicting a man resembling Thomas Sr having sex with a young Asian girl.

But the former Hollywood lighting director told the newspaper: “I have never been in a photograph like that.”

He did admit, since his move to Cebu City in the Philippines in January last year, he has “slept with prostitutes” on at least two occasions, explaining: “I like Asian women, but that is not a crime.”

Following a blood clot that caused him to lose his leg, a fleeting romance with one of his 46-year-old nurses, and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake, Thomas Sr returned to the States in May this year.

But back in the Philippines, Thomas Jr is said to have found the stash of child images stored on his computer and an old phone that had been left behind in storage boxes.

“When I found this material, I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad,” he told The Sun. “I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years, but that stops now.

“I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”

Thomas Sr has this weekend declared he would willingly speak to investigators and take a lie detector test.

He also said that any child abuse images found on his computer were “planted” to destroy his reputation.

“I never shared a house with Tom. My computer and old phone were packed up in Mexico and put on a boat to the Philippines,” he said. “It took months. I kept asking my son for my computer and he said it was coming. He would never give it to me and I didn’t understand why.”

He added: “I have not had my computer or phones for nearly two years. If there is anything bad on there, it was put there by someone else.”

Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha, has been steadfast in her support for her father. She initially declared the allegations had “no merit”, claiming her brother fabricated the story to make money.

This weekend, she said: “Tom Jnr had possession of those boxes with dad’s computers and phones. They were in storage places which god knows how many people had access to.

“I believe this is a set-up.”

Four boxes of evidence have been taken by police in the Philippines, while the FBI said it would “investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law”.

Meghan said she was “deeply distressed” at the allegations levelled towards Thomas Sr, revealing she had been sent a letter by the Metropolitan Police in 2018 that contained “troubling and disturbing allegations against my father”.

She added: “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.

Thomas Sr said Meghan “never said a word to me about this letter accusing me of such terrible things,” adding, had she probed her father, he would have “had a chance to defend myself.”

“I am not well enough to go to the Philippines but I will speak to anyone who wants to talk to me. I have nothing to hide,” he proclaimed.

“I am an innocent man and she gave me no chance to defend myself. I have been asking to see my grandchildren before I die.

“If she saw this awful letter in 2018, why did she not contact me or send someone to speak to me?

“She has the power to send the police or FBI. Why wait eight years? Why cut me off for a letter which contains lies and not let me defend myself?”

The duchess said she had been “given assurances” the claims were being investigated by the authorities.

But the Met confirmed on Saturday it was considering referring itself to the police watchdog after it received a letter in 2019 about a “number of claims” relating to Meghan’s father.

It is understood that the force did not inform other law enforcement bodies about the allegations, according to The Telegraph, and they were subsequently not investigated.

The duchess also later clarified that she may have been “mistaken by a few months” after claiming she received the letter in 2018, not 2019.

Thomas Sr has consistently denied all the allegations. He previously said: “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”