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The Metropolitan Police have received 40 new allegations from 40 different people accusing former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed of sexual assault and rape. The allegations cover a timeframe between 1979 and 2013 and come after a documentary and podcast by the BBC heard testimony from former Harrods employees alleging that they too were subject to sexual assault or rape by the billionaire.
The Metropolitan Police had previously urged those who had not previously come forward to do so and said it would review historical abuse complaints. The force confirmed that the 40 new allegations would be included in a full review of previous allegations reported to them, including the 21 they were aware of prior to the BBC broadcast.
Al Fayed, who owned the luxury department store until 2010, has since died aged 94, and so there is no prospect of a conviction against him. The Metropolitan Police have, however, said they are exploring whether any other individuals could be pursued for any criminal offences. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has also contacted the Metropolitan Police regarding the allegations, but it has not yet made any referrals.
Several women interviewed by the BBC allege that Al Fayed sexually exploited them while they were working in his home. His alleged victims have now come forward with allegations stretching beyond Harrods to other women employed outside of his businesses. Since the initial broadcast of the documentary, a further 65 women have contacted the BBC with allegations.
Harrods, under its current owners, has issued a statement saying that it was “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that Al Fayed’s victims had been let down. The store has apologised and will also be reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure that similar allegations do not arise in the future
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