BREAKING Three girls quizzed by police in Mohamed Al Fayed intercourse abuse investigation
Three women have been quizzed by cops over allegations of human trafficking and facilitating rape as part of an investigation into claims of sexual abuse by former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
The Metropolitan Police said a total of 154 victims have come forward and reported allegations of sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking as part of the force’s probe into the former Fulham owner.
Police said no arrests have been made but the suspects, aged in their 40s, 50s and 60s, have been interviewed under caution. The force said they were quizzed by detectives between February 25 and March 5.
They were questioned on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences and human trafficking for sexual exploitation, the force said.
No arrests have been made and the investigation, which has been broadened to cover human trafficking following calls from survivors, is ongoing.
Commander Angela Craggs of the Metropolitan Police said: “Victims remain at the centre of this investigation. Today’s update marks an important step in a complex and far reaching investigation.
“While Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution, we have always been determined to bring anyone who is suspected to have played a part in his offending to justice.
“We encourage anyone with information, whether you were directly affected by Mohamed Al Fayed actions or have concerns about others who may have been involved or committed offences, to contact us. Information can also be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their online form.
“We will share further updates when we are able to do so and only when this will not risk jeopardising criminal or other proceedings.”
Al Fayed died in 2023 aged 94. On Wednesday, lawyers representing some of his accusers urged the force to treat the scandal as “trafficking allegations”.
The Met previously said it was investigating individuals surrounding the businessman who could have enabled him to carry out more than 400 sexual misconduct crimes, which are claimed to have spanned decades between 1977 and 2014.
Lawyers claim the Met’s Operation Cornpoppy, which is looking into what role individuals may have played in facilitating or enabling Al Fayed’s offending, is not sufficiently wide in scope and that there is a failure to use all investigatory powers as a result.
They argue this means “enablers” and those who facilitated Al Fayed’s behaviour are less likely to be brought to justice. The former head of the Met’s anti-trafficking unit Phil Brewer said he couldn’t understand why the operation was not already a trafficking probe.
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