The key facts
- Thomas Markle, 82, has been charged with possessing indecent images of children; he previously denied such allegations
- Thomas Markle, 82, charged with possessing indecent images of children; he previously denied such allegations
- The Metropolitan Police confirmed two ongoing rape investigations against Russell Brand
- The Guardian, citing unnamed sources, reports suspicions of attacks on at least ten more women
- The Guardian, citing unnamed sources, reports suspicions of assaults on at least ten other women
The father of the Duchess of Sussex has appeared in court
The arrest of Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of the Duchess of Sussex Meghan, has become the main story on a number of Saturday front pages of the British press. On Friday he appeared in court charged with one count of possessing indecent images of children, the US Department of Justice said; Markle had previously denied allegations of possessing such material. As BBC News notes in its review of the newspaper headlines, the arrest followed an FBI search of two storage units in Los Angeles that he had rented for almost 20 years. The Daily Mirror also puts the story on its front page and notes that Meghan Markle has not commented on her father's arrest.
The Russell Brand case widens
The second major story in the press is Russell Brand's conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault. The i Paper quotes the head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, as saying he would not be surprised if new people came forward with allegations against Brand; on Friday he confirmed on the BBC that there were 'two ongoing rape investigations' into the entertainer. The Guardian, citing unnamed sources, reports that, according to the sources' concerns, Brand is 'suspected of attacks on at least ten more women'. The Daily Star writes that after the verdict Brand spent the night 'in a solitary cell', and also quotes the police chief as saying that there 'may be many more victims'. The Times leads with the calls that followed the verdict to reform the way sexual offences are investigated: according to the paper, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that rape survivors should not feel 'as if they were in the dock'.
The rest of the front pages
Alongside these stories, the BBC review notes other stories in Saturday's press. The Daily Telegraph writes that the findings of an upcoming major review of youth unemployment will call on the prime minister to 'spend up to an additional £6bn on getting people back to work', and also reports that the Church of England will express 'concerns' to MPs and peers considering a bill banning conversion therapy practices; the Cabinet, according to the paper, has said the Church supports 'our bill'. The Financial Times reports that the AI company Anthropic 'is pressing ahead with its high-risk' share placement in November, citing 'several investors', and notes that spending in London's West End rose 15% in the first six days after Oxford Street was turned into a pedestrian zone. The Daily Express launches its Christmas campaign against loneliness, while The Guardian, alongside the Brand story, writes about football: Jude Bellingham has been joined in the England squad by his brother Jobe.
Thomas Markle's arrest over alleged possession of child sex abuse material features on a number of Saturday's front pages. The Duchess of Sussex's 82-year-old father appeared in court on Friday charged with one count of possessing indecent images of children, the US Department of Justice said. He has previously denied allegations of possessing images of child sex abuse.
The Daily Mirror also leads on Markle's arrest, which came after the FBI searched two LA storage units he had rented for almost 20 years. He is pictured in an archive photo with his daughter Meghan, who has not commented on his arrest.
Russell Brand's conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault also features on several front pages. The i Paper carries Met Police boss Sir Mark Rowley's comments that he would not be surprised if more people came forward with allegations against Brand. He confirmed to the BBC on Friday that there were 'two ongoing rape investigations' into the entertainer.
The Guardian reports that unnamed sources say it is feared that Brand is 'suspected of attacks on at least 10 more women'. The newspaper separately carries some sport news under the headline 'brothers in arms', as Jude Bellingham is joined by his brother Jobe on the England football squad.
The Times also leads on Brand's conviction and subsequent calls to reform how sexual offences are prosecuted. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said rape survivors should not be made to feel 'like they are on trial', the paper reports.
The Daily Star reports Brand spent the night 'in solitary confinement' following his conviction, and also refers to the Met chief's remarks that there 'may be many victims'.
An image of Thomas Markle's arrest features on the Daily Telegraph's front page, alongside a number of other stories. It reports that the forthcoming findings of a major review into youth unemployment and inactivity will urge the prime minister to 'spend up to £6bn more on getting people back into work'. It also reports that the Church of England will raise 'concerns' with MPs and peers scrutinising draft legislation to crack down on conversion practices, as part of the paper's campaign to scrap the bill. The cabinet office told the paper that there was 'support for our draft bill' from the Church.
The Financial Times leads on AI firm Anthropic 'pressing on with its high-stakes' listing in November, citing 'multiple investors'. Closer to home, it reports that spending across London's West End rose 15% in the first six days after Oxford Street was pedestrianised.
The Daily Express splashes on its Christmas appeal to help tackle loneliness. It also carries news of Markle's arrest, and separately an image of Catherine, Princess of Wales, backing 'a healthy dose of nature'.
