Forty new allegations against Al Fayed made to police
Forty new allegations of sexual assault and rape against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have been reported to the Metropolitan Police by 40 different individuals.
These allegations span from 1979 to 2013 and follow a BBC documentary and podcast that featured accounts from former Harrods employees claiming that the billionaire sexually assaulted or raped them. The police had encouraged anyone with unreported allegations to come forward and indicated they would review historical complaints.
Since the documentary aired, an additional 65 women have reached out to the BBC, sharing experiences of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed, with claims dating back to 1977 and extending beyond Harrods.
Al Fayed, who passed away at the age of 94 in 2023, acquired the luxury department store in 1985 and sold it in 2010. The Metropolitan Police noted that the 40 new allegations are in addition to the 21 they were already aware of before the BBC broadcast.
While there is no possibility of prosecution against Al Fayed, the Metropolitan Police stated they are still investigating whether any other individuals could be held accountable for criminal offenses. Cdr Stephen Clayman mentioned, “Since the documentary aired and our recent appeal, detectives have received numerous pieces of information, primarily concerning the actions of Mohamed Al Fayed, but also regarding others.”
The force is continuing to appeal to anyone who has been a victim of Al Fayed or has information relating to those who facilitated his offending.
It added a full review of previous allegations continues and it has identified 21 separate allegations reported to the force about Al Fayed prior to the BBC broadcast.
The review will ensure there are no new lines of enquiry based on information that has emerged and will liaise with the Directorate of Professional Standards if needed.
Last month the BBC heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-Harrods employees who accuse the billionaire of sexual assault and rape.
The documentary and podcast – Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods – gathered evidence that, during Al Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene, but helped cover up abuse allegations.
Harrods’ current owners said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that his victims had been failed – for which the store sincerely apologised.
The department store is also carrying out an independent review which began in 2023.
Since the broadcast, dozens of women have contacted the BBC to say they were abused by Al Fayed.
On Thursday, the BBC reported 65 women contacted the broadcaster to say there were abused by Al Fayed, with allegations stretching beyond Harrods and as far back as 1977.
It suggests he used a broader range of abuse tactics and also targeted women employed outside his businesses.
Several of the new 65 women interviewed allege they were recruited by Al Fayed under false pretences into roles on the billionaire’s domestic staff and were then sexually exploited by him – including at his mansion in Oxted.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has told the BBC it has asked the Metropolitan Police whether anything needs to be referred to it for investigation and internal force review is ongoing.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “Following the TV documentary on Mohamed Al-Fayed, we contacted the Metropolitan Police Service to see whether it had received any related complaints or identified any conduct issues which would require a referral to the IOPC.”
The Met Police is conducting a review, the spokesperson added, and the watchdog has not yet had any referrals about the force’s handling of the allegations.
