A serving Metropolitan Police officer and four former officers are being investigated for potential misconduct over their handling of sexual abuse claims against Mohamed Al Fayed, according to reports from DailyMail, The Guardian, and the BBC. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched the investigation following complaints made by four individuals. More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 1977 have been made against Al Fayed, who died in 2023 at the age of 94.
Key Takeaways
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating five Metropolitan Police officers over their handling of sexual abuse claims against Mohamed Al Fayed. Over 400 allegations have been made against Al Fayed, who died in 2023.
- IOPC investigates five Met officers for potential misconduct
- Over 400 allegations of sexual misconduct made against Al Fayed from 1977 to 2014
- Three women and a man interviewed under caution but no arrests made
- Investigation into individuals who may have facilitated or enabled offending by Mohamed Al Fayed remains active
The IOPC confirmed that the investigation into the officers began in January 2025 and is being carried out by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards under their direction and control. The complaints of two women, whose allegations were reported in 2008, were referred to the IOPC in November 2024. In a statement, the IOPC said that at this stage, five individuals have been advised that they are being investigated for potential misconduct.
In March, the Metropolitan Police announced that a man in his 60s was interviewed under caution over allegations of human trafficking and facilitating rape in connection with the investigation into Al Fayed. Three women were also questioned by detectives between February 25 and March 5 on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Police said no arrests had been made and that the investigation is ongoing.
The Met has widened its investigation to look at associates who may have assisted and facilitated the abuse. This means criminal charges could still be on the cards even though the direct perpetrators have died. A survivors group called Justice for Harrods Survivors claims it has 'credible evidence' suggesting that the sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated at Harrods and Al Fayed's properties was not limited to him alone.
Among the victims is Bianca Gascoigne, daughter of England footballer Paul Gascoigne. She bravely opened up about being groomed and sexually assaulted by Al Fayed when she worked in the department store as a teenager. Lawyers for the victims describe Al Fayed as a predator on the scale of Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein.
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