Thomas Markle moves to dementia care facility for his ‘safety’, Samantha claims

His daughter Samantha, 61, said told the Sun she arranged the transfer to the care home last week, describing it as a “wonderful place” and stating the move was made for her father’s “safety”. The facility provides round-the-clock supervision, and her long-term partner, Mark Phillips, was seen delivering bedding there on Saturday.

A senior lawyer has cautioned that federal agents may never get the chance to question Mr Markle Sr., given the significant legal obstacles surrounding the interviewing of individuals diagnosed with dementia.

The move came on the same day the Mail reported claims that a second cache of alleged child abuse material had been discovered in a storage unit in Mexico, adding to material allegedly already found in the Philippines.

The investigation, which the FBI told the Mail is ongoing, centres on claims that two substantial collections of alleged child abuse material were uncovered in separate locations.

Mr Markle Sr’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly discovered material among his father’s possessions and turned it over to authorities, prompting the FBI probe.

Investigators are now examining material allegedly found independently in the Philippines and Mexico, with the bureau looking into both claims as part of its inquiry into the 82-year-old. The FBI has also been working alongside Philippine authorities in the city of Cebu, where local police are conducting their own investigation into Mr Markle Sr.

Experts have expressed concern that his reported “cognitive issues” present a serious obstacle for agents seeking to build their case, given the legal protections afforded to individuals in memory care facilities.

Spencer Kuvin, a Florida-based lawyer, outlined the formidable hurdles facing the FBI in stark terms. He told the Sun: “You can’t just barge into a memory care facility and conduct an interview.”

He warned that any competent defence lawyer could have such questioning thrown out, adding: “Any decent lawyer would be able to get that interview struck and the FBI know that.”

Mr Kuvin explained that a dementia diagnosis effectively bars a patient from voluntarily surrendering their legal rights. He said: “There would need to be an independent medical opinion that he is able to be interviewed and there has to be a judge who signs off on the ability for him to speak.”

The facility’s own physicians could block any attempt at an interview, he noted, meaning the Government would need to apply formally to a court for judicial approval before any questioning could proceed.

Mr Markle Sr has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, specifically in relation to the possession of child sexual abuse images.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, he declared: “I’m not a paedophile. I’ve never done anything bad to a child. Never.”

He dismissed the allegations as a “bunch of lies” and suggested he was being framed. The investigation is ongoing, wrongdoing has not been established, and Mr Markle Sr has not been charged.

Philippine National Police spokesman Colonel Allen Rae Co confirmed on Sunday that the FBI had already made contact with his investigators.

He said: “The FBI expressed readiness to extend assistance if we need support in the investigation.”

GB News has contacted Thomas Markle Sr., Samantha Markle and the FBI for comment.