Meghan Markle‘s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., is speaking out after he was accused of being in possession of images depicting child sex abuse.

“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” Thomas Sr., 82, told the Daily Mail, slamming the “sick lies.”

“I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of,” Thomas Sr. added. “This is bulls***. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”

The Sun reported on Thursday that an investigation was launched after Thomas Markle Jr. turned over child sex abuse material that he allegedly found in boxes at his father’s house in the Philippines.

“When I found this material, I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad,” Thomas Jr. said in a statement. “I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”

Hours after the news broke, Meghan, 45, issued a statement of her own addressing her decision to distance herself from her father.

“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” she said in a statement to Us on Friday, October 23. “In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.”

Meghan explained that she wanted to “protect” her own children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, whom she shares with husband Prince Harry.

“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them,” she noted. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”

Meghan’s statement concluded, “Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”

The duchess’ half-sister, Samantha Markle, meanwhile, shared her support for their father.

“There is no merit in these disgusting allegations whatsoever and my brother is disgusting for making them up. He wants to destroy our dad. Shame on him,” Samantha, 61, told the Daily Mail.

Samantha accused Thomas Jr. of lying for financial gain.

“My brother first came out with these lies a few weeks ago when the cash from my dad was cut off,” she claimed. “He has used dad as a cash cow for years and once the money stopped he made up the most outrageous lies he could to try and make money from the media.”

She continued: “There is no proof my dad downloaded any images. Those computers were out of his possession for two years. That leaves a lot of room for tampering. These are unsubstantiated allegations. Anyone could have been in contact with those computers over a couple of years. Dad was in a rehabilitation facility and did not have access to those computers.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.