Meghan Markle issues blunt statement about contacting her dad following leg amputation

After news broke last week that her father had been forced to undergo leg amputation surgery, Meghan Markle's team have provided an update, hitting out at 'clear ethical boundary' breaches.

According to an announcement made by his son, Thomas Markle Sr suffered a blood clot last week, which resulted in the 81-year-old's left leg needing to be removed below the knee.

Thomas Jr, 44-year-old Meghan's half-brother, told The Mail that his father's blood circulation had been cut off by a severe blockage.

"His foot turned blue and then black," he explained. "It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital, and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated."

In the years prior, Markle Sr suffered from a stroke that affected his ability to speak. He also moved to the Philippines back in January, following 'constant reminders of my estrangement from my daughter' in the States.

Markle Sr endured the amputation of his left leg (Channel 5)

In response to the announcement, Meghan was said to have 'reached out' to her father - though, Markle Sr told The Mail over the weekend that he'd failed to receive any message from his daughter.

Now, a rather blunt new message from her representative has taken aim at the story, reading: "Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her father’s bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the Duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days."

The statement added: "With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands."

The mother-of-two has had a strained relationship with her father since she and husband Prince Harry tied the knot in 2018, which Markle Sr couldn't attend due to health issues.

"Of course I want to speak to her, but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances," he told the Mail this week.

Thomas Markle Sr has remained estranged from his daughter since her 2018 wedding (Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP) (Photo by AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"I've always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I don't want to die estranged from Meghan."

Despite now being in a stable condition, according to Markle Jr, his father will need further surgery in the coming weeks to remove a second clot.

"One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical," he added.

"His left leg has been removed below the knee. They were worried about infection setting in, sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying. There was no option given."