The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over complaints from two women over the handling of investigations into allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed first made in 2008 and 2013.
The complaints address concerns about the quality of police response and, in the case of the 2013 investigation, how details came to be disclosed publicly.
Al Fayed, who died aged 94 last year, was hit with an avalanche of rape and assault claims in September after at least two former Harrods workers told a BBC documentary they had been raped or molested by the flamboyant Egyptian tycoon.
Commander Stephen Clayman, from the Met’s Specialist Crime team, said: ‘We are actively reviewing 21 allegations reported to the Metropolitan Police prior to Mohamed Al Fayed’s passing, as well as the related police investigations, to determine if any additional investigative steps are available or there are things we could have done better.
‘This process remains active, and we are committed to assessing all new allegations, pursuing justice where possible and transparently addressing any failings.
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over complaints made about Mohammed Al Fayed
Al Fayed, who died aged 94 last year, was hit with an avalanche of rape and assault claims last month
‘In recent weeks, two victims-survivors have come forward with concerns about how their allegations were handled when first reported, and it is only appropriate that the IOPC assess these complaints.
‘Although we cannot change the past, we are resolute in our goal to offer every individual who contacts us the highest standard of service and support.
‘I encourage anyone with relevant information, whether you were personally affected or have knowledge about others who may have facilitated Al Fayed’s actions to contact us.
‘Our priority remains to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of justice.’
In October, the Met Police revealed they are investigating 40 new allegations against Al Fayed and others since the BBC documentary.
The 40 new allegations relate to 40 alleged victims and are in addition to allegations police were aware of before the BBC’s investigation and documentary, Scotland Yard said.
Before the recent media coverage, 21 allegations were made against the late billionaire which resulted in crimes being recorded relating to 21 separate women between 2005 and 2023.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it made a charging decision on two allegations of sexual assault in relation to one female complainant, according to the BBC.
Six years later, in 2015, it made a decision on charging on one allegation of rape and an allegation of aiding and abetting rape by one female suspect. These claims related to a different female complainant.
This means that the Met did not pass on evidence to prosecutors on 19 of the 21 women who approached them before Al Fayed’s death.
Princess Diana with Mohammed Al Fayed attending a charity dinner for the Harefield Heart Unit held at Harrods, London, February 1996
Many of the businessman’s alleged victims worked for Harrods (pictured)
Al Fayed in 2005 at the unveiling of a memorial to his son Dodi and Diana, Princess of Wales
Scores of sex attack allegations have been made against billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed (pictured), dating back almost half a century
The files of evidence it pass did not contain complaints received from other woman whose evidence potentially could have corroborated their claims.
The offences were alleged to have taken place between 1979 and 2013. Four of the reports were allegations of rape, 16 were sexual assault and one related to trafficking, the Met said.
The Crown Prosecution Service was approached by Scotland Yard on five occasions between 2005 and 2023, the force said, but no further action was taken against Mr Al Fayed.
The force said that while it would not be possible to bring criminal proceedings against Mr Al Fayed – as he is no longer alive – it would ‘continue to explore whether any other individuals could be pursued for any criminal offences’.
In response to the BBC, a Scotland Yard spokesperson said: ‘We are carrying out full reviews of all existing allegations reported to us about Al Fayed to ensure there are no new lines of enquiry based on new information which has emerged.
‘This includes liaising with the Directorate of Professional Standards where appropriate.’
Since the documentary aired, an additional 65 women have since approached the broadcaster, with similar claims from as long ago as 1977, before he bought Harrods.
It suggests Al Fayed’s reign of sexual terror, first reported on in the 1990s, but with police repeatedly failing to prosecute, could have been even longer and wider than already feared.
While he died aged 83 five years ago, lawyers are now acting for many victims, far in excess of those who have spoken to the BBC, in a quest for damages and some form of justice.
Harrods previously told the BBC: ‘Since the airing of the documentary, so far there are 200-plus individuals who are now in the Harrods process to settle claims directly with the business.’
Of the 65 new ‘victims’ to approach the BBC, 37 worked for Harrods.
Another 28 did not however, saying he launched vile sex attacks on them under the guise of hiring them to join his domestic staff, simply in the course of a vague ‘interview’, or even against a member of BBC staff.