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

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. …