Met Police refers itself to watchdog following complaints over handling of Mohamed al Fayed allegations

The Metropolitan Police referred two cases to the police watchdog following complaints about investigations into allegations against Mohamed al Fayed.

The force voluntarily referred the cases to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after receiving complaints from two women about previous police investigations into allegations against the former owner of Harrods and Fulham FC, who died last August.

“These complaints, which include investigations in 2008 and 2013, address concerns about the quality of the police response and how details of the 2013 investigation were made public,” the force said in a statement. he said.

21 women contacted I Met the Police make allegations against Al FayedIncluding rape and sexual assault between 2005 and 2023.

Commander Stephen Clayman, from the Met’s Specialist Crime team, said: “We are actively reviewing the 21 allegations and associated police investigations reported to the Metropolitan Police prior to the death of Mohamed al Fayed to determine whether there are any further investigative steps or whether there are any additional investigative steps involved.” There were things we could have done better.

“This process remains active and we are committed to assessing all new allegations, ensuring justice where possible and addressing all failures transparently.

“In recent weeks, two surviving victims have raised concerns about how their allegations were handled when they were first reported and it is appropriate for these complaints to be considered by the IOPC.

“While we cannot change the past, we remain committed to our goal of providing the highest standard of service and support to every individual who contacts us.”

On Friday the Met Police said officers had received new reports since renewed media attention, in addition to 21 pre-existing allegations against al-Fayed.

“Specialist officers are reviewing all information to determine whether other individuals may be investigated for relevant criminal offences,” police said.

A number of allegations against Al Fayed, including rape and sexual abuse died last year at the age of 94It was revealed in recent weeks following an investigation by the BBC.

Many of the allegations against Al Fayed relate to employees at Harrods. Fulham F.C.Owned from 1997 to 2013.

Harrods has previously said it was “completely appalled” by the allegations and said it was “a very different organization to the one Fayed owned and controlled between 1985 and 2010”.

Meanwhile, Fulham have previously said they were trying to establish whether anyone at the club was affected and were encouraging people to contact their security department or the police.

The Met previously said it was carrying out a “detailed and comprehensive” review after facing criticism over how it dealt with the allegations.

An IOPC spokesman said it contacted the Met in September to check if there were any complaints or issues that would require a referral.

“We have remained in regular contact with the Met’s Professional Standards Directorate regarding this matter and on 8 November we received two complaint referrals regarding the Met Police’s original handling of allegations made by two complainants about Mr Al-Fayed,” he said. .

“We will consider the information provided before deciding what action may be required from us.”

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