'Modamed Al Fayed finally exposed as depraved monster due to bravery of victims'

Victims of former Harrod's boss Mohamed Al Fayed have shown courage to come forward, with the Metropolitan Police now saying that they have been contacted by 90 women

It is now clear that Mohamed Al Fayed was a monster hiding in plain sight as victims are heard at last.

The Metropolitan Police says that 90 women, including a girl as young as 13, have come forward claiming they were raped and sexually abused by the former Harrods’ boss.

Scotland Yard has also widened its investigation to include five former associates of Al Fayed amid allegations he was supplied with victims and shielded from prosecution. The extent of his depravity has only come about because of the bravery of his victims.

They have shown a courage that stands in stark contrast to a man accused of using his wealth and power to prey on the vulnerable and to protect himself from prosecution. If there were any justice, he would have been sent to jail during his lifetime.

While the police are clearly taking these allegations seriously, many will ask why they did not pursue with equal rigour the claims originally made against Al Fayed. The investigation has given the survivors of his offending a voice but that voice should have been heard when he was still alive.

Breathe easy

There are more than five million people in Britain who receive treatment for asthma. A further three million have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Their lives could now be transformed thanks to a medical breakthrough by British scientists. Researchers have found an injection of the drug Benralizumab is far more effective for treating asthma attacks than steroids.

This is the first new treatment for chronic asthma in half a century and has the potential to save thousands of lives. More than 12,000 people have died from asthma attacks in the last decade but now many deaths can be prevented.

A 9 to 5 grind

Country star Dolly Parton has launched her own coffee range. She’s going to be singing caffeine, caffeine, caffeeeeine from nine to five.