History of Allegations Against Al Fayed
Forty new allegations from 40 different people, including sexual assault and rape, against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have been reported to the Metropolitan Police. These new allegations span from 1979 to 2013.
BBC Documentary Brings Forward New Allegations
The new allegations emerged after a BBC documentary and podcast featured testimonies from former Harrods employees who claimed the billionaire sexually assaulted or raped them. The Metropolitan Police had urged anyone with relevant information who had not come forward previously to do so, and stated that it would review historical complaints.
Since the documentary aired, an additional 65 women have contacted the BBC, saying they were also abused by Mohamed Al Fayed. These allegations extend beyond Harrods and date as far back as 1977.
History of Allegations Against Al Fayed
Mohamed Al Fayed, who passed away at the age of 94 in 2023, took over Harrods in 1985 and sold it in 2010. The Metropolitan Police stated that these 40 new allegations are in addition to the 21 allegations previously known to them before the BBC documentary aired.
Although there is no prospect of conviction against Al Fayed, the Metropolitan Police continues to explore whether any other individuals could be held accountable for related criminal offenses.
Police Appeal and Investigation
Commander Stephen Clayman commented, “Since the broadcast of the documentary and our recent appeal, detectives have received numerous pieces of information, predominantly relating to Mohamed Al Fayed’s activities but some relating to the actions of others.”
The Metropolitan Police is continuing to appeal to anyone who has been a victim of Al Fayed or who has information about those who facilitated his actions. The force is conducting a full review of prior allegations and has identified 21 separate allegations reported before the BBC broadcast.
This review aims to ensure that no new lines of inquiry are overlooked, and the police are liaising with the Directorate of Professional Standards as needed.
Allegations from Former Harrods Employees
Last month, the BBC featured testimony from more than 20 former female Harrods employees who accused Mohamed Al Fayed of sexual assault and rape. The documentary and podcast, titled Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods, gathered evidence that Harrods, during Al Fayed’s ownership, not only failed to intervene but actively helped cover up the abuse allegations.
Harrods’ Response
The current owners of Harrods said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and acknowledged that victims had been failed, for which the store sincerely apologized. The department store is also conducting an independent review that began in 2023.
Additional Allegations and Broader Abuse
Since the broadcast, dozens of women have contacted the BBC to report abuse by Al Fayed. On Thursday, the BBC reported that 65 women had come forward, with allegations that stretched beyond Harrods and dated back to 1977.
Some of these women allege that they were recruited by Al Fayed under false pretenses into roles within his domestic staff and were then sexually exploited by him, including at his mansion in Oxted.
Police Conduct Review
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has asked the Metropolitan Police whether anything needs to be referred to it for investigation. The IOPC is currently awaiting any referrals regarding the force’s handling of the allegations.
A spokesperson for the IOPC stated, “Following the TV documentary on Mohamed Al-Fayed, we contacted the Metropolitan Police Service to determine whether it had received any related complaints or identified any conduct issues that would require a referral to the IOPC.” The Metropolitan Police is conducting an internal review, but the watchdog has not yet received any referrals regarding the allegations.
For more details on this developing story, visit the BBC or read related analysis on Kenkou Land.
