A serving Metropolitan Police officer and four former officers are under investigation for potential misconduct regarding their handling of sexual abuse claims against Mohamed Al Fayed, the former Harrods owner.
Background of the Investigation
The probe follows revelations that 21 women reported allegations to the police about Al Fayed, but he was never charged. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed the investigation relates to reports made by four people against Al Fayed.
Two of the 21 women, who made allegations in 2008 and reported them to the police, had their complaints referred to the IOPC in November 2024.
Extent of Allegations
More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct, dating back to 1977 and spanning decades up to 2014, have been made against the retail tycoon, who died in 2023 at age 94.
In March, the Metropolitan Police said a man in his 60s was interviewed under caution over allegations of human trafficking and facilitating rape in connection with the investigation into Al Fayed. Three women were also quizzed by detectives between February 25 and March 5 on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Police said no arrests were made and the investigation is ongoing.
IOPC and Met Police Response
A Met Police spokesperson told the BBC the force is assisting the IOPC's investigation into five officers. A statement said: '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.'
The IOPC told the BBC it began its investigation into the five officers in January 2025, carried out by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards under the IOPC's direction and control. It is understood the serving officer under investigation is not on restricted duties.
Al Fayed's Background
Mohamed Al Fayed was an Egyptian businessman whose interests included the Hotel Ritz in Paris, Harrods department store, and Fulham Football Club. In March last year, Harrods proposed potential six-figure payouts to settle claims brought by sexual abuse victims if they agreed to a psychiatric assessment. MPL Legal, a law firm representing the store, told potential claimants they could be offered between £110,000 and £200,000, Sky News reported.
Those alleging sexual abuse could be owed general damages limited to compensation for sexual assault of up to £110,000, with aggravated damages up to £15,000, according to a document seen by Sky.
Recent Developments
A BBC documentary aired in September 2024 revealed the extent of the abuse, followed by a Met Police investigation into 40 new allegations against Al Fayed and others since the documentary aired. The 40 new allegations related to 40 alleged victims, in addition to allegations police were aware of before the BBC's investigation.
Prior to recent media coverage, 21 allegations were made against the late billionaire, resulting in crimes being recorded relating to 21 separate women between 2005 and 2023. The Met has since widened its investigation to look at associates who may have assisted and facilitated the abuse, meaning criminal charges could still be possible even though the direct perpetrator has died.
A survivors group called Justice for Harrods Survivors says it has credible evidence suggesting the sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated at Harrods and the billionaire's properties was not limited to Al Fayed himself. Lawyers for the victims describe Al Fayed as a predator on the scale of Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein.
Among his alleged victims is model Bianca Gascoigne, 37, daughter of England footballer Paul Gascoigne, who said she was groomed and sexually assaulted by Al Fayed when she worked at Harrods as a teenager. She told how he would grope her and force her to kiss him during weekly meetings, before turning up at her apartment and allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was just 16.
