Watchdog to review police handling of Al Fayed abuse claims

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has announced it will review how the Metropolitan Police handled allegations of sexual offences against Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods. The review will focus on two cases the Met investigated in 2008 and 2013, following the force’s own referral.

The decision comes after a BBC documentary, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, prompted hundreds of people to come forward with allegations of abuse by the billionaire businessman. More than 70 of these individuals were women who shared their experiences of sexual harassment, assault, and rape, including multiple claims involving Al Fayed at Harrods, as well as at other properties he owned, such as Fulham Football Club and the Ritz Hotel in Paris.

In response to the growing number of allegations, the Met Police said it had received complaints from two women regarding previous investigations into Al Fayed. These complaints primarily relate to concerns about the quality of the police response and how sensitive details were made public. The force has committed to reviewing all new claims that have emerged, including assessing whether any allegations could lead to criminal investigations involving living individuals.

New Allegations and Inquiries

Following the broadcast of the BBC documentary in September, which featured testimony from former Harrods employees who accused Al Fayed of sexual assault or rape, the Metropolitan Police reported receiving 21 separate complaints from women dating from 2005 to 2023. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Al Fayed was never charged with any crimes during his lifetime.

A BBC investigation last month revealed that, while the Met had received evidence from 21 women, only two of those cases were sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for further action. In response, the Met initially suggested that it had sought early investigative advice from the CPS in relation to 10 of the cases. However, the CPS later clarified to the BBC that it had only provided advice on four of the cases, and the Met acknowledged this discrepancy.

Since the documentary aired, more women have come forward. At least 60 new complainants have contacted the Met, while 70 others have reached out to the BBC directly with allegations against Al Fayed.

Additionally, a previously undisclosed allegation surfaced last week, revealing that a teenage girl had accused Al Fayed of sexual assault in 1995. This new information contradicts earlier statements by the Met, which had said the first complaint against Al Fayed was not received until 2005.

IOPC Review

The IOPC confirmed it was reviewing the Met’s handling of the case after the force referred itself following new allegations. An IOPC spokesperson stated that they had contacted the Met in September to ask whether any issues with police conduct had been identified that warranted a formal referral. In a statement released on Friday, the IOPC confirmed it had received two formal complaints from the Met, which it would now assess to determine what further action, if any, should be taken.

Allegations at Fulham FC

The BBC investigation also highlighted claims of abuse linked to Al Fayed’s ownership of Fulham Football Club, where former players have alleged inappropriate conduct by the billionaire. Ronnie Gibbons, a former captain of the Fulham Ladies team, claimed she was groped twice by Al Fayed in 2000, when she was 20 years old, and said he attempted to force a kiss on her. Other members of the women’s team have also alleged inappropriate behaviour during their time at the club.

Gaute Haugenes, a former manager of Fulham’s women’s team, revealed that extra security measures were put in place to protect female players from Al Fayed, following concerns over his behaviour.

In a statement, Fulham FC expressed its condemnation of all forms of abuse and said it was in the process of determining whether anyone at the club had been affected by Al Fayed’s alleged actions.

Harrods and Ongoing Investigations

Al Fayed owned Harrods from 1985 to 2010, and the store’s new owners have publicly expressed their shock at the abuse allegations. They have launched an investigation to determine whether any current or former Harrods staff members were involved in the alleged incidents of sexual abuse. This investigation began in 2023, in response to the increasing number of complaints and media reports about Al Fayed’s conduct.

While Al Fayed is no longer alive to respond to the allegations, the ongoing police inquiries and the IOPC review highlight the serious nature of the claims and the growing concern over how such allegations were handled in the past. The cases involving Al Fayed have sparked wider discussions about accountability in high-profile institutions and the treatment of women in environments where power dynamics can lead to exploitation.

As the IOPC continues its review, many victims and their supporters are calling for greater transparency and accountability, demanding that those responsible for mishandling the investigations be held to account. The revelations about Al Fayed’s conduct, and the police response to it, are likely to remain a major focus of public attention for some time.