Calls for YouTube to ban Meghan Markle’s brother have come after a series of vile videos where he mocks the Duchess of Sussex have appeared online.
Meghan has been targeted by her brother Thomas Markle Jr in a new campaign of abuse online as he hits her with insults and bizarre conspiracy theories.
Politicians and royal expert Jennie Bond have led calls for the web giant to take responsibility, reports the Mirror.
Worse still, Thomas Markle Jr is profiting from the YouTube clips – as followers send him cash tips for the vile slurs about Prince Harry’s wife.
Meghan and her brother have been embroiled in a family feud and reportedly not spoken in more than a decade. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond led criticism of the web rants, which she called “grotesque”.
She added: “To have your own flesh and blood lead the assault must feel like the ultimate betrayal for Meghan.”
As well as electronic payments from viewers, it is believed Thomas Jr will also pocket advertising revenue from YouTube.
The videos came to light only weeks after Princess Kate also fell victim to web trolls. Pointing to the torment suffered by Prince William’s wife, who is battling cancer, royal expert Bond said: “Have we learned nothing?” And they were recorded a matter of weeks after Meghan gave a speech warning social media is a “dangerous environment” for women.
Thomas Jr, 57, plays up to his viewers by spreading a number of bizarre conspiracy theories about Harry, Meghan and their two children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two.
Former tech minister Damian Collins said: “The major social media companies must do more to combat harmful content on their platforms, including campaigns of harassment and intimidation. They have created systems that have not only allowed conspiracy theories to thrive, but are actively promoted by the recommendation systems designed by these big tech companies.”
In one disturbing video, posted on his channel just days ago, Markle Jr posed as his sister by donning a long dark coloured wig and putting what appeared to be a cushion under his t-shirt, while holding a tiara. While imitating the sound of air being unleashed, he put on a mock female voice and introduced himself as “Me-gain”, a cruel nickname which has been used for the Duchess of Sussex.
In other videos, which have been viewed thousands of times, Thomas Jr has also made slurs about Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.
And he ridiculed Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, calling it “American River Wh*** Orchard”. Just last month, Meghan gave a passionate speech at the SXSW festival in Texas when she warned social media can cause serious mental health issues.
