Survivors of abuse by late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have lodged complaints with the police watchdog regarding the Metropolitan Police's handling of allegations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed on Sunday that three victims filed complaints this week about the Met's handling of allegations between 2018 and 2024.
Over 400 Claims of Sexual Misconduct
More than 400 claims of sexual misconduct have been made against Al Fayed, including rape and human trafficking, dating from 1977 to 2014. Al Fayed died in 2023 at age 94 without facing charges.
The IOPC said it would assess the complaints before deciding on further action. The watchdog is already investigating one serving and four former Met officers for potential misconduct related to the case. That investigation, led by the Met's directorate of professional standards under IOPC direction, involves other reports by four victims.
Met Police Investigation and Operation Cornpoppy
The Met is investigating allegations from at least 155 victims, at least 21 of whom came forward before Al Fayed's death. Operation Cornpoppy, launched 19 months ago, examines potential suspects who may have facilitated or enabled Al Fayed's crimes. As of last week, only four people had been interviewed under caution.
A Met spokesperson said: “We are assisting the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as it carries out an independent investigation into our handling of reports of sexual offending by Mohamed Al Fayed. As part of this, the IOPC is investigating complaints against five officers. One serving and four former officers are being investigated for potential misconduct. The serving of notices does not mean that misconduct proceedings will necessarily follow. We are aware that further complaints are now being assessed by the IOPC. We will support these as required. Our investigation into individuals who may have facilitated or enabled offending by Mohamed Al Fayed remains active.”
Victims Call for Wider Investigation
Lawyers representing the Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group said 421 people had come forward about abuse allegedly at Harrods, the Ritz hotel in Paris, Fulham FC, and other Al Fayed-owned properties. Victims have called for a wider investigation into trafficking, arguing that without it, the “true scale” of the billionaire's network would remain hidden.
No One Above (NOA), a collective founded by Al Fayed abuse victims, urged the National Crime Agency to set up a joint investigation team with the Met and oversee the inquiry.
Prime Minister Meets Survivors
Earlier in June, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met about 200 survivors on an online video call as part of a push for justice. A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister met survivors of Mohamed Fayed, paid tribute to their courage, and made clear he stands with them in their fight for justice. With hundreds coming forward, including from overseas, the meeting was held online to ensure all survivors could take part. We are clear that this is the beginning, not the end, of working with survivors to secure the justice they deserve.”
