The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over its handling of allegations made against the Duchess of Sussex ’s father Thomas Markle .

The force said that in 2019 it had passed a letter “containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom” to Meghan and Prince Harry, but did not share details with other law enforcement agencies.

On Thursday, police in the Philippines obtained a warrant to examine devices seized from Mr Markle Sr’s home, after it was reported that hundreds of images of child sexual abuse had been found at the property.

Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, said he had found the stash and had reported his father to local police and the FBI.

Mr Markle Sr, who is now in the US, has strongly denied the allegations made by his son, describing them as "sick lies".

The BBC reported it had seen a copy of the letter sent to Scotland Yard in 2019 and that the note was written by Mr Markle Sr’s first ex-wife, Roslyn Loveless, who has since…