Mohamed Al Fayed accused of rape and sexual assault by 19 different women

Mohamed Al-Fayed owned an estate in Scotland and said he would move here permanently if the country voted for independence in 2014
-Credit: (Image: SHAUN CURRY/AFP via Getty Images)


Former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed was accused of rape and sexual assault by 19 different women, London police have confirmed.

Scotland Yard have revealed that victims came forward to the force between 2005 and 2023, with a string of offences alleged to have taken place between 1979 and 2013. Al Fayed was never charged before he died aged 94 last year.

Amongst the allegations, three were of rape, 15 were sexual assault and one related to trafficking. The Met Police said in a statement on Thursday: "At this time we have identified 19 allegations which resulted in crimes being recorded involving Al Fayed relating to 19 separate women that were reported to the Met between 2005 and 2023, The Mirror reports.

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"Between 2005 and 2023 we approached the Crown Prosecution Service on five occasions – two of these, in 2009 and 2015, were to pass full files of evidence. The remaining three approaches were for early investigative advice. In all 19 allegations that were reported to police there was no further action taken against Mohamed Al Fayed."

The force said it was calling on alleged victims to come forward in the wake of a BBC documentary in which a number of women accused Al Fayed of sexual abuse and rape. Officers are in the process of contacting lawyers and other organisations with knowledge of the case, the Met said.

Though it is not possible to bring charges against a dead person, officers will "fully explore" whether any other individuals could be pursued for any criminal offences. Commander Stephen Clayman said: “We recognise the significance of the allegations made against Mohamed Al Fayed and the impact this has had on those affected.

“It is vital that any victims have a voice and are able to report any allegations if they have not done so before, and know that they will be taken seriously. We have specialist teams to ensure all those victims who make contact with us are supported in the best way possible.

“I understand that for many years many people have sought answers in relation to this case. We will do everything possible to update on our progress when we can, but it is crucial we do this thoroughly and we do it right.”

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