Met makes watchdog referral following complaints about Al Fayed investigations

The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the constabulary watchdog implicit complaints from 2 women astir the handling of investigations into allegations made against Mohamed Al Fayed.

The 2 women made complaints astir investigations from 2008 and 2013.

According to the Met, they person raised concerns astir the prime of constabulary effect and, successful the lawsuit of the 2013 investigation, however details came to beryllium disclosed publicly.

Commander Stephen Clayman, from the Met’s Specialist Crime team, said: “We are actively reviewing 21 allegations reported to the Metropolitan Police anterior to Mohamed Al Fayed’s passing, arsenic good arsenic the related constabulary investigations, to find if immoderate further investigative steps are disposable oregon determination are things we could person done better.

“This process remains active, and we are committed to assessing each caller allegations, pursuing justness wherever imaginable and transparently addressing immoderate failings.

“In caller weeks, 2 victims-survivors person travel guardant with concerns astir however their allegations were handled erstwhile archetypal reported, and it is lone due that the IOPC measure these complaints.

“Although we cannot alteration the past, we are resolute successful our extremity to connection each idiosyncratic who contacts america the highest modular of work and support.

“I promote anyone with applicable information, whether you were personally affected oregon person cognition astir others who whitethorn person facilitated Al Fayed’s actions to interaction us.

“Our precedence remains to guarantee that nary chromatic is near unturned successful the pursuit of justice.”

Hundreds of women person alleged the billionaire, who died past twelvemonth aged 94, raped oregon sexually assaulted them.

Police are looking into immoderate claims and Harrods is besides settling hundreds of claims.

A spokesperson for the the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it contacted the Met Police successful September to find retired if the unit had received immoderate complaints astir investigations into the Al Fayed allegations.

They said: “We contacted the Met Police successful September to find retired whether it had received immoderate applicable complaints oregon identified immoderate behaviour issues that would necessitate a referral to america relating to intersexual offence allegations made against Mohammed Al Fayed.

“We person remained successful regular interaction with the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards connected this substance and, connected November 8, we received 2 ailment referrals relating to the Met Police’s archetypal handling of allegations made by 2 complainants astir Mr Al Fayed.

“We volition measure the accusation provided earlier deciding what further enactment whitethorn beryllium required from us.”