Complaints filed to police watchdog over Met’s handling of Al Fayed abuse allegations

More than 400 claims of sexual misconduct have been made against Mohamed Al Fayed, seen here in 2003. The former Harrods owner died in 2023. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian View image in fullscreen More than 400 claims of sexual misconduct have been made against Mohamed Al Fayed, seen here in 2003. The former Harrods owner died in 2023. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian Complaints filed to police watchdog over Met’s handling of Al Fayed abuse allegations IOPC confirms complaints from three survivors of alleged sexual misconduct by late Harrods owner in addition to ongoing investigation Survivors of abuse at the hands of the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have complained to a watchdog about how the Metropolitan police handled allegations. More than 400 claims of sexual misconduct have been made against Al Fayed, including rape and human trafficking , dating between 1977 and 2014. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed on Sunday that three victims had filed complaints this week about the Met’s handling of allegations between 2018 and 2024. The police watchdog said it would assess the complaints before deciding on any further action. The IOPC is already investigating one serving and four former Met officers for potential misconduct relating to the case. That investigation, led by the Met’s directorate of professionalstandards under the watchdog’s direction and control, involves other reports made by four victims. The Met is investigating allegations made by at least 155 victims, at least 21 of whom are understood to have come forward before Al Fayed’s death. Operation Cornpoppy, launched 19 months ago, is looking at potential suspects who may have facilitated or enabled Al Fayed’s crimes. As of last week it had interviewed just four people under caution. Al Fayed died in 2023 at the age of 94, without facing any charges. A Met spokesperson said on Sunday: “We are assisting the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as it carries out an independent investigation into our handling of reports of sexual offending by Mohamed Al Fayed . “As part of this, the IOPC is investigating complaints against five officers. One serving and four former officers are being investigated for potential misconduct. The serving of notices does not mean that misconduct proceedings will necessarily follow. “We are aware that further complaints are now being assessed by the IOPC. We will support these as required. “Our investigation into individuals who may have facilitated or enabled offending by Mohamed Al Fayed remains active.” View image in fullscreen Lawyers representing survivors said 421 people had come forward about abuse that had allegedly taken place at Harrods or other businesses Al Fayed owned. Photograph: Mina Kim/Reuters Victims of the former Harrods owner have called for a wider investigation into trafficking, arguing that without it the “true scale” of the billionaire’s alleged network would remain hidden. skip past ne