The Metropolitan Police have interviewed three women under caution as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged sexual abuse facilitated by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed. The suspects, aged in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, were questioned over offences including aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Key Takeaways
The Metropolitan Police have interviewed three women under caution for allegedly facilitating Mohamed Al Fayed's sexual abuse over four decades. The investigation involves claims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation affecting up to 154 victims.
- Three women questioned in connection with aiding and abetting rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking
- Investigation spans allegations from 1977 to 2014 involving hundreds of offences
- Harrods has set up a compensation scheme for victims, receiving 180 claims so far
- Former Met officer suggests investigation should be widened to include trafficking
According to multiple reports, the investigation has identified up to 154 potential victims who may have been raped or sexually assaulted by Al Fayed. The alleged crimes span from 1977 to 2014, with police examining over 50,000 pages of evidence and retrieving significant material from previous reports.
Commander Angela Craggs of the Metropolitan Police stated that while Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution, the force remains determined to bring anyone suspected of enabling his offending to justice. The investigation has broadened its scope to cover all reported offences, including human trafficking.
A compensation scheme set up by Harrods for victims closes on 31 March. So far, the owners of the luxury London store have received 180 claims from individuals affected by Al Fayed's actions.
Legal representatives and former Met officers have expressed concerns about the scope of the investigation. Leigh Day law firm, representing several survivors, hopes that the interviewed women are just 'the tip of the iceberg' in relation to potential suspects. A former senior Met officer suggested that the investigation should be widened to include trafficking, arguing it would expand the investigative strategy and help identify corroborating evidence.
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