Mohamed al Fayed: Police investigating 'more than five' people who may have 'enabled' alleged abuse of women and girls

Detectives have launched a new investigation into more than five people suspected of helping Mohamed al Fayed commit widespread sexual abuse over almost 40 years.

The fresh allegations against the former Harrods and Fulham FC boss, including rape and sexual assault, span the years between 1977 and 2014, with the youngest victim aged just 13 at the time she was allegedly targeted.

The Metropolitan Police were previously contacted by 21 women, who made similar allegations about incidents between 2005 and 2023, but the billionaire businessman was never charged before his death aged 94 last August.

Some 150 people have since contacted the force, 90 of whom have been identified as potential victims, and officers are now looking at Fayed's associates who are suspected of facilitating or enabling abuse.

More than five people are under investigation so far, the force said, although no arrests have yet been made.

Commander Stephen Clayman said: "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."

In response to the new probes into associates of Fayed, Harrods said in a statement: "We are aware of and wholeheartedly support the Met police's investigation. We have an open, direct and ongoing line of communication with the Met police for the benefit of the survivors.

"We continue to encourage all survivors to engage with the Met police and we welcome the investigation in supporting survivors in their wider pursuit of justice."

Detectives are also reviewing the Met's previous investigations, including 50,000 pages of evidence, to identify any missed chances or misconduct.

The force said previous investigations were "extensive and conducted by specialist teams" but accepts "contact with and support for some victims at the time could have been improved".

Two files - the first in 2008 and the second in 2015 - were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision, but the CPS has said no charges were brought because there wasn't a realistic prospect of conviction.

The Met already referred two cases to the police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after receiving complaints from two women about investigations in 2008 and 2013.

Commander Clayman said: "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 Fayed's actions to reach out to us. Your voice matters, and we are here to listen and to help."

Hundreds of women - many of whom worked for Fayed - have contacted lawyers alleging abuse following a BBC documentary about his behaviour.

Harrods has previously said it is "utterly appalled" by the claims and said it is a "very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Fayed between 1985 and 2010".

Fulham previously said they were trying to establish whether anyone at the club had been affected, and were encouraging people to come forward to the club's safeguarding department or the police.

(c) Sky News 2024: Mohamed al Fayed: Police investigating 'more than five' people who may have