The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into one serving and four former Metropolitan Police officers over their handling of sexual abuse allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed. The former Harrods owner, who died in 2023 aged 94, faces more than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 1977.
The IOPC confirmed the investigation, launched in January 2025, relates to complaints made by four individuals against Fayed. In a statement, the IOPC said: “At this stage, five individuals – a serving Met officer and four former Met officers – have been advised that they are being investigated for potential misconduct.”
A Met Police spokesperson said the force is assisting the IOPC’s investigation, adding: “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. Our investigation into individuals who may have facilitated or enabled offending by Mohamed Al Fayed remains active.”
In March, the Met said a man in his 60s was interviewed under caution over allegations of human trafficking and facilitating rape in connection with the Fayed investigation. Three women were also questioned between 25 February and 5 March on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
