Thomas Markle detained after allegedly removing ankle monitor

Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been detained in Florida after allegedly removing an electronic ankle monitor he was required to wear while awaiting trial.

A US Justice Department spokesperson told the BBC that Markle appeared before a federal judge in Tampa after allegedly removing the device at 1.45am local time on Tuesday. The judge ordered the 82-year-old held without bond, the spokesperson said. The BBC said it had contacted Markle’s representatives.

Markle was arrested on 6 November on a federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material. He was released under conditions including home detention and electronic monitoring. No plea was entered at that hearing.

The FBI says it seized about 78 items, including film negatives, slides and books, from two Los Angeles storage units registered to Markle. A federal criminal complaint alleges that some contained suspected child sexual abuse material. Markle has previously denied possessing such images.

A judge also ordered a psychiatric assessment of whether Markle was fit to face prosecution, citing his health, age and lack of recall at his first court appearance, Reuters reported. The assessment is due by 20 November.