Authorities looking into individuals who may have facilitated the abuse allegedly committed by Al Fayed.
The Metropolitan Police have received reports from 90 additional alleged victims, in addition to the 21 who had previously filed complaints.
An investigation has been launched into over five individuals who may have facilitated former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed in allegedly sexually abusing numerous women and girls over a span of four decades.
Detectives are examining associates of the businessman who could have enabled him to commit offenses reported to have occurred between 1977 and 2014.
Additionally, an internal review is being conducted to assess how the Metropolitan Police dealt with complaints regarding Al Fayed during his lifetime, despite never bringing charges against the billionaire despite multiple allegations of crimes, including rape and sexual assault.
Following recent media attention on the case, 90 more women have come forward to report that they were also victims of the tycoon, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 94.
Alleged Victims as Young as 13
These new complainants are in addition to the 21 individuals who had previously contacted the police. The youngest of the latest 90 victims was reportedly 13 years old at the time of the alleged abuse.
Commander Stephen Clayman stated, “I acknowledge the courage of every victim who has come forward to share their experiences, often after years of silence.
“This investigation aims to give survivors a voice, despite the fact that Mohamed Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution.
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“However, we are now pursuing any individuals suspected to have been complicit in his offending and we are committed to seeking justice.”
He emphasized that the force acknowledges the potential impact of past events on the public’s trust in their handling of such allegations and reiterated their dedication to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation.
He urged any additional victims to come forward, stating, “Your voice matters, and we are here to listen and assist.”
Charges Never Brought
Two complaints regarding allegations of sexual offenses by Al Fayed were submitted to the police in 2008.
Investigators twice presented case files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a decision on charges, once in 2008 involving three victims and again in 2015 related to one victim.
On three more occasions – in 2018, 2021, and 2023 – the CPS was consulted for early investigative advice, but the cases were not further pursued by the police.
The Harrods department store in Westminster, London, in an undated file photo. Copyright visitlondon.com/Antoine Buchet
Emma Jones, a partner at Leigh Day, the law firm representing affected clients, commented, “We note the extension of the police investigation to include those who facilitated Al Fayed’s abuse, though for survivors, this development may seem insufficient at this stage.
“The fact that the Metropolitan Police has also referred cases to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding the scandal raises significant concerns about accountability.”
The IOPC, an independent watchdog overseeing complaints against police forces in England and Wales, has been involved in overseeing this case.
“By referring their own cases, the police are, in essence, evaluating their own actions, which may not inspire public confidence or provide the level of transparency needed for this case,” Jones added.
She stated that her clients are pushing for a comprehensive public inquiry into how the alleged abuse was able to persist for decades, despite numerous complaints being raised.
At the time of his passing last August, Forbes estimated Al Fayed’s wealth to be $2 billion.
In 2010, he sold Harrods, which he had owned since 1985, to the Qatari royal family for £1.5 billion.
Harrods Settling Cases
In July 2023, Harrods began settling claims out of court with former employees who came forward with allegations of abuse by Al Fayed, with non-disclosure agreements being part of the settlements.
A separate legal team representing some alleged victims stated in October that the allegations combine elements from cases involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein in terms of severity.
The legal team, under the banner Justice for Harrods Survivors (JHS), is seeking damages for their clients, claiming that the luxury department store not only failed to protect its employees over many years but also allegedly enabled and covered up the crimes of its former owner.
Gloria Allred, a U.S. lawyer working with JHS, who has represented victims of high-profile abusers, including Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, mentioned that Harrods was a “toxic, unsafe, and abusive environment” during Al Fayed’s ownership.
Allred further disclosed that some of the allegations against the billionaire involved the involvement of other individuals.
“They involved doctors conducting invasive gynecological exams as a condition of employment for employees targeted by Mohamed Al Fayed for abuse,” she stated.
The legal team Allred is collaborating with is not pursuing a class action but instead focusing on individual claims against Harrods on behalf of their clients.
