The Metropolitan Police Service in the UK has launched a probe into 40 new claims involving rape and sexual assault against Mohamed Al Fayed, along with other individuals, spanning from 1979 to 2013.
This investigation follows a surge of reports received by authorities after the BBC aired a documentary last month that scrutinized the former owner of Harrods and Fulham FC.
The latest allegations concern 40 alleged victims and come on top of existing claims known to police prior to the BBC’s exposé, as stated by Scotland Yard.
Before this recent media attention, investigations revealed 21 allegations against the late billionaire, leading to recorded crimes connected to 21 distinct women from 2005 to 2023.
According to Scotland Yard, the Crown Prosecution Service was consulted on five different occasions between 2005 and 2023; however, no further legal actions were initiated against Mr. Al Fayed.
The police emphasized that while they cannot instigate criminal proceedings against Mr. Al Fayed—who passed away last year at 94—they will “keep looking to see if any other parties could face charges relating to these offences.”
Met Police Commander Stephen Clayman noted, “Since the airing of the documentary and our subsequent public appeal, our detectives have gathered a lot of information, mainly focused on Mohamed Al Fayed but also touching on actions of other individuals. ”
“This influx of testimonies has led us to document 40 new claims, each one pertaining to a victim-survivor and encompassing serious crimes like sexual assault and rape within the timeline of 1979 to 2013. These reports are additional to those we already knew about prior to the broadcast,” he continued.
Commander Clayman acknowledged the bravery it takes for individuals to step forward with their experiences, assuring those who haven’t reached out yet that trained detectives are available to listen and provide support.
“All the information gathered will be formally recorded and reviewed to determine if any criminal activities are subject to prosecution. This process requires time, but we promise to keep individuals informed about any developments,” he added.
“We are also actively engaging with lawyers representing those who have approached them directly, ensuring they are aware of our willingness to engage in conversations that could lead to the documentation of alleged crimes, along with the necessary support,” he stated.
“While the bulk of the information we’ve acquired pertains to Al Fayed’s time running Harrods, we are reaching out to representatives of other organizations associated with him. Our goal is to identify anyone affected and offer them a chance to speak with us,” he concluded.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
