November 27th 2024.
The recent news has shed light on a disturbing case of sexual abuse spanning almost four decades, from 1977 to 2014. The Metropolitan Police have identified an additional 90 victims in their ongoing investigation into Mohamed Al Fayed and the sex abuse scandal. Shockingly, the youngest victim was only 13 years old at the time of the alleged attack.
This investigation was sparked by a BBC documentary, "Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods," which aired in September and prompted a total of 150 complainants to come forward. The police are also looking into the role of at least six people who may have enabled Al Fayed's campaign of abuse. This network of suspected enablers includes members of his personal security team, PR staff from the luxury department store, and even medics hired to test victims for sexually transmitted diseases before he raped them.
In addition, the Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards is examining whether any serving or former officers were involved in misconduct that could have allowed Al Fayed to cover his tracks. Commander Stephen Clayman stated that the probe will investigate the role of individuals in facilitating or enabling Al Fayed's offending, and what opportunities they had to protect the victims from his heinous abuse.
Despite the numerous allegations, Al Fayed was never charged or prosecuted in relation to any of the complaints. The 90 newly identified victims are in addition to the 21 who came forward before the documentary aired, accusing Al Fayed of abuse between 2005 and his death in 2013 at the age of 94. The Metropolitan Police has also referred itself to the police watchdog over complaints from two of these women about how their allegations were handled. They have also launched an internal review into how the force handled claims about Al Fayed while he was alive.
According to the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, hundreds more women have come forward to lawyers, accusing the tycoon of rape or sexual assault. One legal representative has described this as one of the worst cases of corporate abuse of women ever seen. And while the news of the widening investigation is welcomed, it may be too little, too late for the survivors of this scandal.
Commander Clayman has acknowledged the bravery of the victims in coming forward to share their experiences, often after years of silence. He emphasized that this investigation is about giving survivors a voice, even though Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution. The Metropolitan Police is committed to seeking justice and pursuing any individuals suspected of being complicit in Al Fayed's offending.
The senior officer also appealed to any further victims to come forward, stating that their voices matter and they are here to listen and help. He acknowledged that there may be many reasons why some have not felt able to report the crimes committed against them, but they are not alone.
Emma Jones, a partner at Leigh Day, which represents clients affected by the Al Fayed scandal, has raised concerns about the police's accountability in this case. The fact that they have referred their own cases to the Independent Office for Police Conduct raises questions about transparency and scrutiny. Jones and her team are calling for a full public inquiry into these matters to ensure that the survivors of the Harrods scandal receive the justice they deserve.
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