UK police are being investigated over how allegations of sexual abuse involving retail tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed were handled, including whether police missed opportunities to act earlier. Multiple outlets report that more than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against Al Fayed, dating from the late 1970s through later years. The investigation is linked to complaints that were reportedly raised by 21 women while Al Fayed was still alive, but no charges were brought at the time.
According to ABC Australia, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is working to determine whether police actions in the period from 2008 onward were appropriate, including whether there were missed chances to prevent or stop the alleged offending. Other reporting notes that the complaints and claims span decades and that Al Fayed died in 2023 at the age of 94. The current inquiry focuses on the conduct and decisions of police officers in response to allegations, rather than on new criminal charges against Al Fayed, who is no longer alive.
