Latest news with #AlFayed:PredatoratHarrods
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Scotland Yard apologises for 'failing' Mohamed Al Fayed victims
Detectives probing former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed have apologised to his alleged victims for their distress. In a letter leaked to the BBC, the officer leading Scotland Yard's investigation said she was 'acutely aware the case is especially distressing to all those who have suffered'. 'Not least due to the fact that the main suspect will now never directly face justice for his crimes, and for this I am truly sorry,' Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Craggs wrote. 'Some of you may have heard, and perhaps experienced dissatisfaction in previous investigations into Al Fayed by the Met and hence may have little confidence in us.' The force said it could not comment further because it would 'jeopardise criminal or other proceedings'. The BBC reported Scotland Yard would send a video statement addressing questions from the victims individually rather than arrange a meeting due to privacy issues. Two complaints against the Met over its handling of allegations against the former Harrods boss will be investigated by the force itself under the direction of a watchdog. The Met is currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations that were made before Mr Al Fayed died in 2023, and referred two of these to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in November. Alleged victims have repeated calls for a public inquiry into what happened. More than 100 alleged victims have contacted police to say they were sexually abused by the tycoon, the youngest of whom is thought to have been 13 at the time. A number of allegations were made against him while he was still alive. Investigators twice sent files for a charging decision to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – once in 2008 relating to three alleged victims and again in 2015 linked to one other. A total of 150 complainants came forward following the airing of a BBC documentary, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, in September, the force said. More Trending On another three occasions – in 2018, 2021 and 2023 – the CPS was asked for what is called early investigative advice, but the matters were not pursued further by police. In November, the Met confirmed that detectives were investigating more than five people who may have facilitated the former Harrods boss in his alleged sexual abuse of dozens of women and girls. Al Fayed's network of suspected enablers is said to have included members of his personal security team, the luxury department store's PR staff and medics hired to test victims for sexually transmitted diseases before he raped them, according to the BBC. The force is also facing allegations of police corruption, with The Guardian reporting that officers were accused of taking bribes to help him persecute staff and avoid accusations of abuse. MORE: Killer driver who ploughed car into wedding party guilty of murder MORE: Hope Rowe jailed for life for stabbing woman to death at child's party in east London MORE: PE teacher faces court for 13 sexual offences against two girls and a boy
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
Al Fayed estate faces legal action from alleged victims
Five alleged victims of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed are planning to launch legal action against the late billionaire's estate, solicitors say. The BBC understands this is the first time the Al Fayed estate has been notified of claims of this kind since allegations of abuse were broadcast in a BBC documentary last year. Three of the women worked for the late billionaire and former owner of Harrods as nannies and two as private air stewards between 1995 and 2012. They were between the ages of 18 and 30 when they say the abuse occurred. The Fladgate law firm, which represents the estate, has been contacted for comment. Leigh Day, the law firm representing the alleged victims, say the women were subjected to "serious sexual abuse, harassment and mistreatment". Some allege they were threatened when they tried to raise concerns or report the abuse. Previous claims have been brought against Harrods, the department store owned by Al Fayed until 2010. Richard Meeran, one of the partners working on the women's case, told the BBC: "It is important that his estate is also made legally accountable for the widespread abuse he perpetrated against those who may never have had dealings with the famous store." The women are pursuing compensation under a personal injury claim. The letters of claim, which have been sent to the representatives of Al Fayed's estate on the women's behalf, signify the first formal step in the civil legal process prior to the start of court proceedings. Since the documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods and podcast uncovered widespread allegations of abuse from former Harrods employees, the BBC has heard from close to 80 women who shared their own experiences. The earliest account of abuse heard by the BBC stretched as far back as 1977 and a number of women described being recruited by Al Fayed under false pretences before being sexually exploited by him. The Metropolitan Police have said more than 100 alleged victims have contacted them to say they were sexually abused by Al Fayed. They are currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations made before he died in 2023. A number of allegations were made against the businessman while he was still alive, but Al Fayed was never charged over rape and sexual assault allegations. In November, the Met announced an investigation into how it handled allegations relating to Al Fayed. Many of the women who have spoken to the BBC about their experiences have raised significant questions regarding how the predatory abuse they say they suffered was able to continue across numerous decades. The five women, being represented by Leigh Day, are also calling for an independent inquiry into the matter. 'He'd be enraged': Al Fayed abuse survivors on their friendship Mohamed Al Fayed: Timeline of sex abuse allegations How Fayed built a corrupt system of enablers to carry out his sexual abuse A spokesperson for Leigh Day added: "The letters are sent under the pre-action protocol for personal injury claims and mark the first formal step in the legal process prior to the commencement of court proceedings." In January, claims of abuse against Al Fayed and his brother Salah were heard in a UK court for the first time, in a civil case being brought against Harrods. Their only surviving brother, Ali Fayed, has also been accused of sexual assault by former employees of the department store. A spokesperson for Mr Fayed, who lives in the US, said previously that he unequivocally denied any and all the allegations of wrongdoing, adding that "the incidents simply never took place". Harrods' new owners have previously said they are "appalled" by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether any current members of staff were involved. In November, the Met said it was investigating at least five people it believes may have assisted or enabled Al Fayed's alleged sexual offences. If you have information about this story that you would like to share please get in touch. Email MAFinvestigation@ Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. Mohamed Al Fayed accused of multiple rapes by staff Watchdog to review police handling of Al Fayed abuse claims Al Fayed's brother Salah also abused us, women say
BBC News
31-03-2025
- BBC News
Mohamed Al Fayed estate faces legal action from alleged victims
Five alleged victims of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed are planning to launch legal action against the late billionaire's estate, solicitors BBC understands this is the first time the Al Fayed estate has been notified of claims of this kind since allegations of abuse were broadcast in a BBC documentary last of the women worked for the late billionaire and former owner of Harrods as nannies and two as private air stewards between 1995 and 2012. They were between the ages of 18 and 30 when they say the abuse Fladgate law firm, which represents the estate, has been contacted for comment. Leigh Day, the law firm representing the alleged victims, say the women were subjected to "serious sexual abuse, harassment and mistreatment". Some allege they were threatened when they tried to raise concerns or report the claims have been brought against Harrods, the department store owned by Al Fayed until 2010. Richard Meeran, one of the partners working on the women's case, told the BBC: "It is important that his estate is also made legally accountable for the widespread abuse he perpetrated against those who may never have had dealings with the famous store."The women are pursuing compensation under a personal injury claim. The letters of claim, which have been sent to the representatives of Al Fayed's estate on the women's behalf, signify the first formal step in the civil legal process prior to the start of court the documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods and podcast uncovered widespread allegations of abuse from former Harrods employees, the BBC has heard from close to 80 women who shared their own earliest account of abuse heard by the BBC stretched as far back as 1977 and a number of women described being recruited by Al Fayed under false pretences before being sexually exploited by Metropolitan Police have said more than 100 alleged victims have contacted them to say they were sexually abused by Al Fayed. They are currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations made before he died in 2023.A number of allegations were made against the businessman while he was still alive, but Al Fayed was never charged over rape and sexual assault allegations. In November, the Met announced an investigation into how it handled allegations relating to Al of the women who have spoken to the BBC about their experiences have raised significant questions regarding how the predatory abuse they say they suffered was able to continue across numerous five women, being represented by Leigh Day, are also calling for an independent inquiry into the matter. A spokesperson for Leigh Day added: "The letters are sent under the pre-action protocol for personal injury claims and mark the first formal step in the legal process prior to the commencement of court proceedings."In January, claims of abuse against Al Fayed and his brother Salah were heard in a UK court for the first time, in a civil case being brought against only surviving brother, Ali Fayed, has also been accused of sexual assault by former employees of the department store. A spokesperson for Mr Fayed, who lives in the US, said previously that he unequivocally denied any and all the allegations of wrongdoing, adding that "the incidents simply never took place".Harrods' new owners have previously said they are "appalled" by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether any current members of staff were November, the Met said it was investigating at least five people it believes may have assisted or enabled Al Fayed's alleged sexual offences. If you have information about this story that you would like to share please get in touch. Email MAFinvestigation@ Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
