Three women interviewed by Met Police in sex abuse probe
Three women have been interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police as they continue their probe into former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged historical sexual abuse.
The women, aged in their 40s, 50s and 60s, were interviewed between February 25 and March 5, under suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences and human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Some 154 victims have so far come forward and reported allegations of sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking against Al Fayed, the force has said.
Al Fayed, who died in 2023, was the owner of Harrods, the Ritz Paris hotel and Fulham during the time of the alleged attacks.
Law firm Leigh Day, representing many of the survivors, said they hope this is “the tip of the iceberg in relation to individuals the Met have on its radar”.
Scotland Yard said no arrests have been made as of yet. According to The Guardian, several more suspects will be questioned in the coming months over similar allegations of facilitating or enabling abuse.
Met Police Commander Angela Craggs said: “Victims remain at the centre of this investigation. Today’s update marks an important step in a complex and far-reaching investigation.
“While Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution, we have always been determined to bring anyone who is suspected to have played a part in his offending to justice.
Three women have been interviewed under caution by police as they continue their probe into the former Harrods boss
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PA“We encourage anyone with information, whether you were directly affected by Mohamed Al Fayed actions or have concerns about others who may have been involved or committed offences, to contact us.”
It is alleged the Egyptian businessman, who was 94 at the time of his death in 2023, took advantage of his wealth and power to abuse women, some as young as 13, over several decades from 1977 to 2014.
The Met said it was investigating more than 400 sexual misconduct crimes in relation to Al Fayed. More than 20 allegations were filed before his death three years ago.
Harrods has been investigated for corporate failure to provide a safe system of work for its employees
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Jen Mills and Lindsay Mason, who allege they were abused by the billionaire, said: “After years of shouting into what felt like a void, we are thrilled the police have finally begun to interview the people who facilitated Mohamed Fayed’s abuse, including the woman who facilitated ours.
“And we are grateful the police are treating this as a trafficking offence, which it most surely was.”
Harrods previously said it “apologises unreservedly for the sexual abuse inflicted upon survivors by Fayed”.
The London department store set up a compensation scheme for the victims, which closes on March 31 and has so far received 180 claims.
The Met said: “Over the past 18 months, officers have taken detailed accounts from victims and witnesses to build a comprehensive picture of the alleged offending.
“Information shared during these conversations, together with continued partnership work across the United Kingdom and overseas, has broadened the scope of the inquiry to cover all reported offences, including human trafficking.”
