A current detective from the Metropolitan Police and four former officers are under investigation for their handling of sexual abuse allegations involving the late Mohamed Al Fayed. Following his death in 2023 at the age of 94, numerous victims have stepped forward with reports of sexual assault, rape, exploitation, and trafficking.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed that 21 women had approached them before Al Fayed’s passing, following a BBC broadcast in September 2024. Two women’s complaints, initially reported in 2008, were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in November 2024. The CPS received files for potential charges related to three victims in 2008 and one victim in 2015.
Despite never facing charges, the Egyptian businessman’s case has prompted an investigation into possible misconduct by five individuals involved in handling the reports. The Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards, overseen by the IOPC, initiated the investigation in January 2025.
The IOPC confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, as the Metropolitan Police stated their cooperation in an independent probe concerning the handling of reports against Al Fayed. The investigation targets five officers, one current and four former, for potential misconduct, with no immediate indication of disciplinary proceedings.
Alleged victims described Al Fayed as a “monster” during a significant press conference in 2024, where former female Harrods employees shared accounts of abuse and violence in London and Paris properties. Earlier this year, three women faced questioning regarding suspicions of enabling Al Fayed’s abusive behavior, including human trafficking and facilitating rape.
The investigation continues, with no arrests made thus far. Over 150 victims have come forward with allegations of various forms of abuse. Former Harrods staff claimed they were subjected to invasive medical tests by a doctor on Al Fayed’s behalf, while the department store was accused of fostering a toxic environment under his leadership.
Accusations against Al Fayed also include deploying staff and authorities to intimidate women, utilizing surveillance methods like hidden cameras and bugs. The scandal has drawn comparisons to notorious sex offenders like Jimmy Savile and Jeffrey Epstein, with numerous women stepping forward after a revealing BBC documentary in 2024.
During a press conference, Barrister Dean Armstrong KC highlighted the severity of the case, likening it to scandals involving Savile, Epstein, and Weinstein.
