Meghan's father Thomas Markle wants trial soon so he can 'tell the truth' about her: 'I could die tomorrow'
Meghan's father Thomas Markle is reportedly not happy with the delay in a trial as he wants to tell the truth about his daughter before he dies. The former actress is suing Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Mail on Sunday, for publishing extracts of a handwritten letter which she had written to her father.
The trial was scheduled to start on January 11, 2021. But recently, she filed an application to adjourn the trial and on October 29, she won the bid. It has been said that the high court privacy battle will now be held in 2021 autumn.
The wait has reportedly left Thomas dejected, who claimed to be feeling anxious. "This case is causing me anxiety and I want to get it over with as quickly as possible. I am 76 years old and as a result of my heart condition and surgery, I am on blood thinners which have had an effect on my breathing. I am unable to walk far or up many stairs. I can't manage to take more than 30 to 40 steps without getting winded and needing to slow down until I have caught my breath," said the Duchess of Sussex's estranged father in a statement as reported by The Sun.
He added: "I have had a cold for 3 to 4 years which is connected to my heart and lung issues. I am clinically obese and I have gained more weight during the past months before I have been unable to leave my house to take any exercise. I am pre-diabetic. I don't know what the position will be in several months' time. I have not been back to Chula Vista hospital and although I see a local doctor and I am willing to see a doctor to have my heart and lungs checked, I do not want to know whether I now have cancer or any other serious conditions. None of my male relatives has ever lived beyond 80 years of age. I am a realist and I could die tomorrow. The sooner this case takes place the better."
In another statement, the court was also told that because of his health issues and the increased risk due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Thomas "might not be in a position to give evidence" at the delayed trial. The lawyer of Associated Newspapers, Elizabeth Hartley, also said, "He continues to feel that he has been misrepresented and that the Claimant (Meghan) should not be pursuing this claim. He is anxious to have his day in court so that he can tell the truth in public."
Meanwhile, Mr Justice Warby said that the trial has been postponed considering the application filed by Meghan. But the content of the application was not disclosed, referring it to be "confidential". "The right decision in all the circumstances is to grant the application to adjourn. That means that the trial date of January 11, 2021, will be vacated and the trial will be refixed for a new date in the autumn," Warby added.