Met missed 19 occasions to cease Harrods beast Mohamed Al Fayed

The Met Police has admitted it missed opportunities to catch Harrods beast Mohamed Al Fayed despite receiving 19 complaints from victims between 2005 and 2023.

The force said it has identified 19 separate women in the criminal allegations, which were alleged to have taken place between 1979 and 2013, with three detailing rape, 15 of sexual assault and one related to trafficking.

Between 2005 and 2023 the Met approached the Crown Prosecution Service on five occasions – two of these, in 2009 and 2015, were to pass full files of evidence. The remaining three approaches were for early investigative advice. 

But despite the apparent mountain of evidence, in every case of the 19 allegations that were reported to police Al Fayed was never charged with a crime.

Now the Met has launched an appeal for more victims of Al Fayed to come forward as it explores bringing any of his accomplices to justice.

Detectives have revealed they have received fresh allegations from victims, although it is not confirming the number, and are asking for anyone else who has not come forward before now to do so.

Officers say although there is no prospect of convicting Al Fayed – who died last year aged 94 – there could still be criminal charges brought against others involved.

Dozens of women who previously worked for Al Fayed have come forward with claims of rape and sexual assault in recent days, following the initial allegations which were set out in a BBC documentary on September 19. 

The Met said its staff are currently making contact with other organisations, including lawyers representing individuals whose allegations have featured in recent media coverage. 

It said specially trained officers with experience in dealing with sexual offences have been put in place to deal with any new allegations.

In the meantime the force said it was carrying out a full review of all existing allegations reported to them about Al Fayed to ensure there are no new lines of enquiry based on new information which has emerged.

Current managing director of luxury store Harrods Michael Ward said in a statement earlier today that it is clear Al Fayed ‘presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct’.

Mr Ward, who worked for Al Fayed for four years, said he was ‘not aware of his criminality and abuse’ and described it as a ‘shameful period in the business’ history’.

He said an independent review was underway into issues arising from the allegations and that he had ‘provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues’.

In his statement, Mr Ward said: ‘As we have already stated, we failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry.

‘As someone who has worked at Harrods since 2006, and therefore worked for Fayed until the change of ownership in 2010, I feel it is important to make it clear that I was not aware of his criminality and abuse.

‘While it is true that rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public domain, no charges or allegations were ever put to me by the police, the CPS, internal channels or others.

‘Had they been, I would, of course, have acted immediately.’

Mr Ward continued: ‘Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985-2010, operated this business as his own personal fiefdom.

‘It is now clear that he presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct.

‘The picture that is now emerging suggests that he did this wherever he operated.’ 

MailOnline was told that Mr Ward sent a similar letter to Harrods employees earlier this week.

But a source slammed the ‘insensitivity towards victims of abuse’, and said: ‘Harrods has created an email address for employees to seek support – ‘[email protected]’ – which is highly inappropriate given that it references the name of the alleged perpetrator. 

‘This forces victims to engage with his name when seeking help, adding unnecessary distress.’

The internal memo was criticised for using formal, corporate language that ‘may come across as impersonal and detached’, using phrases like ‘settling claims in the quickest way possible’.

Five brave survivors alleged that they had to barricade doors with chairs to get away from Al Fayed.

Former employees said he would fly them to Paris under the guise of a work trip, take away their passports and put them in hotel rooms without locks.

Chilling claims say he monitored them with CCTV in their own homes, phone tapping and he threatened their families if they ever dared to speak out about the abuse. 

BBC journalists looking into his predatory history gathered the stories of more than 20 women who said they had been abused by him, and ‘up to 200’ more have come forward since. 

The women said they underwent an invasive medical procedure to get their jobs and it was sold as a MOT, telling them ‘aren’t you lucky, it would cost you thousands’.

One revealed that Al Fayed told her to call him ‘Papa’ – and she tried to use this to convince him to leave her alone, telling him she thought of him as a father figure.

So horrific was the alleged abuse suffered at the hands of Al-Fayed, lawyers representing his victims have compared him to sexual predators Jimmy Savile and Jeffrey Epstein.

Lawyers warned that his alleged offending could go further, ‘with victims all over the world’ – with investigations now taking place into other businesses owned by Al-Fayed, such as Fulham Football Club.

Further claims were levelled at Harrods, including that the store was plagued by a ‘toxic’ culture under Al-Fayed’s 25 years in charge, as the wealthy businessman ‘preyed upon… his own employees for his own sexual gratification’ and tried to ‘silence’ his vulnerable victims.

One victim who works at the store said other staff who enabled his alleged disgusting behaviour are still working there.

Mr Ward continued: ‘This was a shameful period in the business’ history, however, the Harrods of today is unrecognisable to Harrods under his ownership.

‘As detailed new information has come to light over the past 18 months, the business has established a settlement process, designed in consultation with independent, external experts in personal injury litigation.

‘We encourage former colleagues to contact us using this process so that we can provide the support, and recourse, they need.’

Mr Ward said he would ‘in no way influence’ an independent review into the allegations.

He said: ‘Alongside this there is an independent review led by a non-executive committee of the board to further consider the issues arising from the allegations.

‘I am not part of the committee conducting this review and will in no way influence its operation or recommendations.

‘However, I have provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues.

‘I have also stepped back from my charity trustee positions while this review is taking place.’

Some women have claimed they were subjected to ‘intrusive and wholly unnecessary’ gynaecological tests to work for Mr Al Fayed and have alleged the purpose of the tests was for checking for sexually transmitted infections.

Alleged victims are set to lodge a complaint against Dr Ann Coxon, claiming she has ‘questions to answer’ over the examinations.

Dr Coxon declined to comment on the matter.

A General Medical Council spokeswoman said: ‘If we identify any potential fitness to practise concerns about individual doctors, we will thoroughly examine all relevant information and take action as appropriate.’

Commander Stephen Clayman said: ‘We recognise the significance of the allegations made against Mohamed Al Fayed and the impact this has had on those affected. 

‘It is vital that any victims have a voice and are able to report any allegations if they have not done so before, and know that they will be taken seriously. We have specialist teams to ensure all those victims who make contact with us are supported in the best way possible.

‘I understand that for many years many people have sought answers in relation to this case. We will do everything possible to update on our progress when we can, but it is crucial we do this thoroughly and we do it right.’

Victims of Al Fayed have been asked to call the Met’s Complex Investigation Team on 020 8217 6582 or 6586 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Sunday, or call 101 at any time and quote CAD1920/26Sep, or email [email protected]