Meghan Markle's half brother has been named as a "person of interest" in an investigation into child sexual abuse image allegations against the Duchess of Sussex's father.

The Philippines’ interior and local government secretary, Jonvic Remulla, told a news conference in Manila there were "indications" that Thomas Markle Jr "may also have been involved in the crime".

But he added that Mr Markle Jr, 60, who alerted local police and the FBI to images he found in his father's belongings, was not yet being treated as a suspect.

More than 7,500 photos and one video had been recovered, all of which of feature underage children of Asian, Latin and European descent, with some that appear as young as 10 and 11, Mr Remulla said.

He described the images as "the most deplorable display of impunity toward sexual exploitation that I have ever seen".

Mr Markle Snr, 82, who is estranged from Meghan, returned to the US in May and reportedly moved into a rehabilitation centre in Florida.

He has always denied possessing child abuse images.

Mr Remulla said Mr Markle Jr was still in Cebu City in the Philippines.

Mr Markle Jr has been approached for comment by Sky News and the Sussexes declined to comment.

Meghan previously said she was "deeply distressed" by the allegations made about her father.

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She said she was shown a letter, originally sent to the Metropolitan Police, seven years ago that made "troubling and disturbing allegations" about her father.

She said she was given assurances that the allegations were being investigated.