Former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed(Image: BBC)

Mohamed Al Fayed's former associates investigated for 'supplying him with victims'

Scotland Yard say they are 'committed to seeking justice' as they launch a new investigation into more than five of Al Fayed's former associates who could have enabled him to target women and girls

by · The Mirror

Detectives are investigating more than five of Mohamed Al Fayed's former associates amid claims he was supplied with scores of sex abuse victims over four decades.

The new probe is focusing on individuals surrounding the former Harrods boss who could have enabled him to sexually abuse women and girls as young as 13. Some say they were moved around the world as part of a complex "trafficking scheme" that the luxury store was complicit in.

A total of 90 complainants have now come forward to the Metropolitan Police saying they were raped and sexually abused by the late tycoon over a 37 year period. An internal review is also being carried out into how the force handled claims from 21 alleged victims while Al Fayed was alive. He was never charged with any offence.

Al Fayed, who died last year having never been charged( Image: PA)
Al Fayed pictured in a car that he donated to the Met Police( Image: PA)

Commander Stephen Clayman, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said on Wednesday: “I recognise the bravery of every victim-survivor who has come forward to share their experiences, often after years of silence. This investigation is about giving survivors a voice, despite the fact that Mohamed Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution. However, we are now pursuing any individuals suspected to have been complicit in his offending, and we are committed to seeking justice.

"We are aware that past events may have impacted the public’s trust and confidence in our approach, and we are determined to rebuild that trust by addressing these allegations with integrity and thoroughness. We encourage anyone who has information or was affected by Al Fayed’s actions to reach out to us. Your voice matters, and we are here to listen and to help.”

Commander Steve Clayman, who is overseeing the new probe

Some women say that they were "required" to have invasive tests for sexually transmitted diseases by a doctor, who then shared the results with Al Fayed, who died last year aged 94. He is also accused of deploying Harrods staff, a former senior Met Police officer, lawyers and PR agents to threaten women, and of spying by using hidden cameras and bugs. Police are also believed to be investigating his time in charge of Fulham FC and the Paris Ritz after one alleged victim claimed he operated a "lion's den" of depravity.

The luxury department story in Knightsbridge, central London( Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Barrister Dean Armstrong KC told a press conference in September that the case "combines some of the most horrific elements of those involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein''. Harrods was accused of being plagued by a "toxic" culture under Al Fayed's 25-year rule, where young female staff were procured for him "for sexual gratification".

The Met said on Wednesday that 150 people had come forward with information since the BBC documentary, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, revealed a string of rape and sex abuse allegations against him. Of them, 90 women and girls say they were attacked by the tycoon between 1977 and 2014. One was just 13 when she says she was attacked.

As part of the new investigation, codenamed Operation Corn Poppy, detectives are investigating more than five individuals who may have "facilitated or enabled" Mohamed Al Fayed in his offending. Detectives from the Met's Complex Investigation Team are working to establish what roles they may have played in helping Al Fayed to target his alleged victims. The force said they are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine if any charges can be brought.

Al Fayed's private jet which he is said to have used to traffic women and girls( Image: Alamy Stock Photo)

Detectives are also reviewing all previous investigations to identify any missed opportunities. They have examined more than 50,000 pages of evidence, including victim statements, and retrieved "significant" amounts of material from police archives. As well as the 90 new alleged victims, 21 complainants came forward to accuse Al Fayed of abuse before his death but no charges were ever brought. The Met admitted on Wednesday that support for some victims was not good enough.

Two complaints have been made about allegations of sexual offending by Al Fayed that were put to the force in 2008. Investigators twice sent files for a charging decision to the Crown Prosecution Service - once in 2008 relating to three victims and again in 2015 linked to one other. The results of the internal review are due to be published next month. The Harrods Survivors group said it is aware of 421 women who have made allegations against Al Fayed.