Three women quizzed by police in Mohamed Al Fayed sex abuse investigation
More than 100 people have made allegations against the former Harrods boss.
Three women have been questioned by police over allegations of human trafficking and facilitating rape as part of an investigation into former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
The Metropolitan Police said a total of 154 people have come forward so far to report allegations of rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and human trafficking as part of the force’s probe into Al Fayed.
Police said no arrests have been made but the suspects, aged in their 40s, 50s and 60s, have been interviewed under caution.
On Friday, Commander Angela Craggs said: “Victims remain at the centre of this investigation.
“Today’s update marks an important step in a complex and far-reaching investigation.
“While Al Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution, we have always been determined to bring anyone who is suspected to have played a part in his offending to justice.”
The Met said officers have taken accounts from Al Fayed’s accusers and other witnesses over the past 18 months – with information from those interviews leading to the force including alleged human trafficking in its investigation.
The three suspects were interviewed under caution between February 25 and March 5 on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences and human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Al Fayed died in 2023 aged 94.
On Wednesday, lawyers representing some of Al Fayed’s accusers urged the force to treat the scandal as “trafficking allegations”.
The Met previously said it was investigating individuals surrounding the businessman who could have enabled him to carry out more than 400 sexual misconduct crimes, which are claimed to have spanned decades between 1977 and 2014.
Urging people to come forward to assist the investigation, Ms Craggs added: “We encourage anyone with information, whether you were directly affected by Mohamed Al Fayed’s actions or have concerns about others who may have been involved or committed offences, to contact us.
“Information can also be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their online form.
“We will share further updates when we are able to do so and only when this will not risk jeopardising criminal or other proceedings.”
In a statement following the arrests, Emma Jones, a partner at Leigh Day – who represents a number of survivors – said: “We welcome the Met’s decision to widen its investigation to include trafficking, particularly following the letter we sent this week on behalf of survivors urging this step.
“However, we are concerned to note that only three suspects have been interviewed under caution. What is surprising to us, having considered the accounts of our clients and the details that are already in the public domain, is that all of the suspects are female.
“We hope that this is very much the tip of the iceberg in relation to individuals the Met have on its radar.”
