Two complainants notably criticized the way in which their testimonies were received and then processed during the investigation. The matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
London police asked the police on Friday “fonts” to examine complaints filed by two women regarding its handling of investigations into alleged sexual abuse perpetrated by the late Mohamed Al-Fayed, then owner of the luxury department store Harrod’s. The complaints, referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), relate to cases from 2008 and 2013. They relate to the quality of the police response and, in the case of the 2013 investigation, on how the details were made public.
“In recent weeks, two victims have raised concerns about the way their testimonies were handled, and it is entirely appropriate for the IOPC to assess these complaints”said Stephen Clayman of the Department of Justice’s specialist crime team. “While we cannot change the past, we are committed to providing each person who contacts us with the highest level of service and support”he added.
More than 400 women and prosecution witnesses
The Metropolitan Police said on Friday that they “was actively examining 21 testimonies filed before the death (in August 2023, editor’s note) of Mohamed Al Fayed in order to determine whether additional investigative measures are possible or whether there are things we could have done better”. These testimonies follow the broadcast, in September, of a BBC documentary reporting multiple accusations of rape and sexual assault allegedly committed by the Egyptian businessman.
The group «Justice for Harrods Survivors» said it had received 421 requests, mainly linked to the store, but also to Fulham football club, the Ritz hotel in Paris and other locations. More than 400 women and witnesses have come forward over the past six weeks to denounce sexual abuse by Mohamed Al-Fayed, who died in August 2023 at the age of 94.
