The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will be directing the investigation into two complaints against the Metropolitan Police in relation to their handling of allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed. The Met has been reviewing 21 allegations made against the former Harrods boss before his death in 2023, two of which were referred to the IOPC in November. Claims of sexual offences by Al Fayed surfaced in a BBC documentary that exposed the extent of his predatory behaviour.
The Met was contacted by 21 women prior to Al Fayed’s death who accused him of sexual offences that included rape, sexual assault, and trafficking. He was never charged with any offences despite this. After the documentary aired, a total of 90 further women contacted the force with allegations stretching as far back as 1977. Since then, a wider investigation has been ongoing into the claims against Al Fayed.
Two women who reported allegations in 2008 complained about how the force had handled their claims after the documentary’s release. The complaints relate to “concerns about the quality of police response and how details came to be disclosed publicly.” It is important that an investigation into these complaints is carried out to determine if there were any missed opportunities or failures by officers to properly investigate these reports made back in 2008, according to IOPC director of operations Steve Noonan.
It is worth noting that the IOPC is directing the investigations as the Met’s ongoing review of the 21 allegations may extend beyond the two complaints. The watchdog assured the complainants that they would regularly receive updates throughout the investigation. Meanwhile, the Met has initiated a new investigation that is examining several individuals it believes may have enabled or assisted Al Fayed’s sexual offences
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
