PA MediaThe police watchdog will evaluation how Metropolitan Cops dealt with allegations of sexual misconduct towards former Harrods proprietor Mohamed Al Fayed.
The Impartial Workplace for Police Conduct (IOPC) will evaluation two instances the Met Police investigated in 2008 and 2013 after the power referred itself.
Lots of of ladies have alleged the billionaire, who died final 12 months aged 94, raped or sexually assaulted them.
Police are wanting into some claims and Harrods can also be settling a whole bunch of claims.
In a documentary which aired in September, the BBC revealed Al Fayed was accused by 21 ladies of sexual offences whereas he was alive.
Because the documentary aired, greater than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come ahead to legal professionals with allegations of assault, harassment and rape over a interval of greater than 30 years after they have been his staff.
Nonetheless, questions have been raised across the Met’s investigations.
Of the 21 ladies who made allegations earlier than September this 12 months, the Met didn’t go full information of proof to prosecutors on 19 of the ladies who approached them.
An IOPC spokesperson mentioned it had contacted the Met in September to ask if the power had “recognized any conduct points that will require a referral”.
In a press release issued on Friday, the IOPC confirmed it had acquired two grievance referrals from the Met and would “assess the data supplied earlier than deciding what additional motion could also be required”.
A number of individuals have contacted the BBC immediately about Harrods and Al Fayed because the documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods aired.
Greater than 70 of these have been from ladies who despatched the BBC their accounts of abuse by the billionaire together with sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape.
The abuse allegedly befell at Fulham FC, the Ritz Resort Paris and Harrods, in addition to different locations owned by Al Fayed.
Fulham FC instructed the BBC: “We unequivocally condemn all types of abuse. We stay within the course of of building whether or not anybody on the membership is or would have been impacted by Mohamed Al Fayed in any method as described in current reviews.”
Al Fayed owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010. The shop’s new house owners have beforehand mentioned they’re “appalled” by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether or not any present members of workers have been concerned.
Harrods beforehand instructed the BBC that it was within the means of settling more than 250 claims for compensation introduced by victims of Al Fayed. That determine has since risen to greater than 290.
The boss of Harrods personally apologised after being approached by the BBC.
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