Key facts
- Over 400 claims of sexual misconduct have been made against the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
- Three victims have filed complaints with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concerning the Metropolitan Police's handling of allegations.
- The IOPC is already investigating five Met officers for potential misconduct related to the case.
- The Metropolitan Police's ongoing investigation, Operation Cornpoppy, is examining individuals who may have facilitated Al Fayed's alleged crimes.
- Survivors' legal representatives report that 421 individuals have come forward with allegations.
Survivors of alleged abuse by the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have filed complaints with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding the Metropolitan Police's handling of the allegations. More than 400 claims of sexual misconduct, including rape and human trafficking, dating between 1977 and 2014, have been made against Al Fayed.
The IOPC confirmed that three victims submitted complaints this week concerning the Met's actions between 2018 and 2024. The watchdog will assess these complaints to determine further steps. This follows an existing IOPC investigation into one serving and four former Met officers for potential misconduct, which is being conducted under the watchdog's direction and control and involves reports from four other victims.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating allegations from at least 155 victims, with at least 21 having come forward before Al Fayed's death in 2023 at the age of 94. His death occurred without him facing any charges.
Operation Cornpoppy, initiated 19 months ago by the Met, is examining individuals who may have facilitated or enabled Al Fayed's alleged crimes. To date, four people have been interviewed under caution. Lawyers representing survivors stated that 421 individuals have come forward regarding abuse allegedly occurring at Harrods, the Ritz hotel in Paris, Fulham FC, and other Al Fayed-owned properties.
Victims' group No One Above (NOA) has called for a joint investigation team with the National Crime Agency to oversee the inquiry and uncover the full extent of Al Fayed's alleged network. Separately, Keir Starmer met with approximately 200 survivors online, and a Downing Street spokesperson affirmed the prime minister's support for their pursuit of justice.