London police say 90 victims have been identified in the new Al-Fayed investigation

London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed on Wednesday that it has opened a new investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against late Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, with 90 victims identified so far.

It comes in the wake of a BBC documentary, broadcast in September, which detailed several claims of rape and sexual assault against the billionaire Egyptian businessman, who died in August last year aged 94.

Since then, more than 400 women and witnesses have come forward alleging sexual misconduct against him, prompting an investigation into the way London police handled complaints decades ago.

The Met said “numerous victims, some of whom reported multiple offences”, had come forward following a renewed public appeal. A special unit would “review all reports and pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry,” it added.

The force has previously said it has identified 60 potential victims.

Detectives are now investigating “a number of individuals associated with” Al-Fayed and “working to determine what role these individuals may have played in assisting and facilitating” violations, it added.

Detectives are also reviewing all previous investigations to identify any ‘missed opportunities’, the Met newspaper said.

“has progressed significantly over the past twenty years”.
They have already reviewed more than 50,000 pages of evidence, including victim and impact statements, according to police.

“This investigation is about giving survivors a voice, despite the fact that Mohamed Al-Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution,” said Commander Stephen Clayman of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

“However, we are now prosecuting all those suspected of complicity in his offending, and we are committed to seeking justice.”
Clayman acknowledged that “past events may have impacted public confidence in our approach.”

But he said the force was “committed to rebuilding that trust by addressing these allegations with integrity and thoroughness.”

Earlier this month, the Met referred itself to Britain’s police watchdog after complaints from two women about the handling of investigations into Al-Fayed’s alleged sexual abuse.

In recent weeks, allegations have also emerged against his late brother Salah Fayed – who died in 2010 – during his time as co-owner of Harrods.
Meanwhile, The New York Times this month published the claims of a victim who accused another brother, Ali, 80, of knowing about the “trafficking of women.”

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