Mohamed Al Fayed: Police investigating more people for billionaire’s abuse

The time period for the new allegations is thought to be between 1977 and 2014, with the youngest victim being 13 years old.

Major Steve Clayman, of the Metropolitan Police, said the investigation, called operation Cornpoppy, would look at what role individuals “may have played in facilitating or enabling his offending and what opportunities they had to protect victims from his appalling abuse”.

“I admire the courage of every victim and survivor who has come forward to share their experiences, often after years of silence,” he said.

“This investigation is about giving survivors the right to have a voice, even though Mohamed Al Fayed is no longer alive and faces prosecution.

“However, we are currently pursuing those suspected of being complicit in this crime and are determined to seek justice.

“We recognize that past events may have affected the public’s trust and confidence in our approach and we are committed to rebuilding that trust by addressing these allegations with honesty and diligence.”

The Metropolitan Police has also launched an internal review which will review all previous investigations to identify missed opportunities. The force has already reviewed more than 50,000 pages of evidence, including victim and impact statements.

Earlier this month the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it was reviewing two cases it investigated in 2008 and 2013 after the Metropolitan Police referred it.

Police said they had received complaints from two women in relation to previous police investigations. A statement from the Metropolitan Police said the complaints “address concerns about the quality of the police response and how details will be made public”.

Al Fayed, who has died aged 94, was the owner of Harrods between 1985 and 2010.

In response to this latest investigation, a spokesperson for the store said they “wholeheartedly” support the investigation.

They said: “We have an open, direct and ongoing line of communication with the Met Police for the benefit of survivors.

“We continue to encourage all survivors to contact the Met Police and welcome the investigation to support survivors’ wider pursuit of justice.”

The store’s new owners have previously said they were “horrified” by the sexual abuse allegations and were investigating whether any current staff were involved since 2023.

The retailer refused to provide any details about whether any action had been taken against anyone or when the investigation might be completed.

As well as targeting Harrods staff, Al Fayed is alleged to have harassed women at other businesses, including the Ritz Paris hotel and Fulham FC.

Earlier this month, BBC News revealed that the Met Police were notified of Mohamed Al Fayed’s sexual assault allegations a decade earlier than previously acknowledged.