Met Police apologises to alleged Mohamed Al Fayed victims, reports say
In a letter leaked to the BBC, the officer leading the investigation said she was 'acutely aware the case is especially distressing to all those who have suffered'.
'Not least due to the fact that the main suspect will now never directly face justice for his crimes, and for this I am truly sorry,' Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Craggs wrote.
Scotland Yard did not provide a copy of the letter to the PA news agency.
The force said it could not comment further because it would 'jeopardise criminal or other proceedings'.
Two complaints against the Met over its handling of allegations against the former Harrods boss will be investigated by the force itself under the direction of a watchdog.
The Met is currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations that were made before Mr Al Fayed died in 2023, and referred two of these to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in November.
Alleged victims have repeated calls for a public inquiry into what happened.
More than 100 alleged victims have contacted police to say they were sexually abused by the tycoon, the youngest of whom is thought to have been 13 at the time.
A number of allegations were made against him while he was still alive.
Investigators twice sent files for a charging decision to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – once in 2008 relating to three alleged victims and again in 2015 linked to one other.
On another three occasions – in 2018, 2021 and 2023 – the CPS was asked for what is called early investigative advice, but the matters were not pursued further by police.
In November the Met confirmed that detectives were investigating more than five people who may have facilitated the former Harrods boss in his alleged sexual abuse of dozens of women and girls.
They are looking at individuals surrounding the businessman who could have enabled him to commit crimes which are claimed to have spanned decades between 1977 and 2014.
The force is also facing allegations of police corruption, with The Guardian reporting that officers were accused of taking bribes to help him persecute staff and avoid accusations of abuse.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Everything we know as woman charged with murder after Newton Aycliffe ‘stabbing'
A woman has been charged with murder after a fatal 'stabbing' in Newton Aycliffe. Patricia Hewitt, 41, of Newton Aycliffe, is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Monday, August 18. Emergency services were called to a property on Bakewell Place on Wednesday (August 13), after reports that a 56-year-old woman had suffered stab wounds. Despite their efforts, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. A 41-year-old woman was arrested at another address in Newton Aycliffe a short time later. She was taken into custody on suspicion of murder. A CSI officer at the cordon on Bakewell Place on Friday (Image: ADAM FOSTER) A cordon was erected outside a bungalow on Bakewell Place overnight on Wednesday, with Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) teams arriving on Thursday morning. CSI officers in white suits were seen bringing brown evidence bags out of a bungalow. The cordon remained in place on Friday, where a CSI officer could be seen taking photographs in the front garden of the property. A second cordon was also in place throughout Thursday on Fenhall Green and Well House Drive, about a ten-minute walk away, after the alleged murder. CSI officers were seen searching a grassed area, bushes and the yard of a house on Thursday. This cordon had been removed on Friday. Durham Police confirmed the cordons were linked, and it was being treated as an isolated incident. CSI officers entering the bungalow on Bakewell Place (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) On Thursday, residents of Bakewell Place spoke of their shock at the incident. Joshua Welsh said: 'It's a massive shock, you never expect something like this on your estate. There were kids playing out. 'There were four ambulances and six police cars last night. One fast response paramedic car and a critical care car from the Great North Air Ambulance. It happened about 7.30pm. A tow truck took a car away, though I couldn't see what it was. 'The police cordon was up all night, and CSI got here about 9.30am this morning.' His partner Nicola Walton added: 'It's a massive shock, it really scared me.' CSI officers searching bushes at the second cordon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) At the cordon on Well House Drive on Thursday, a resident who did not wish to be named told The Northern Echo the incident 'scared' them. They said: 'It's unusual to see police along this stretch. There's been police on the estate in the last year for various things, but never here. 'I've got young children as well, and it's scared me.' On Friday, floral tributes had been left at the bungalow on Bakewell Place. Colourful bouquets were slotted through the fence of a bungalow, which remained cordoned off. Floral tributes had been left at the cordon on Bakewell Place on Friday (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) In a moving tribute, one person wrote: 'My heart is broken. I can't believe the news. You were and will always be the kindest woman I know, not a bad bone in you. Recommended Reading: Woman charged with murder after 'stabbing' in Newton Aycliffe 'My heart is broken' – Floral tributes left at scene of Newton Aycliffe 'murder' Residents in 'massive shock' as police swarm Newton Aycliffe after woman 'murdered' 'I will never forget our bat experience and how you loved crispy bacon. RIP.' Durham Police reminded the public that this is an active case and the public is asked not to speculate on the circumstances or anyone involved. Doing so could put members of the public in Contempt of Court, which can carry a prison sentence.
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Police and paramedics block Hyde Road after crash
Police and paramedics blocked a main road in Manchester following a crash on Sunday evening (August 17). Emergency services attended the incident along Hyde Road at around 7pm with traffic stopped in both directions. One car was seen to be damaged at the roadside with an ambulance and multiple police cars in attendance. It is not known how many other vehicles were involved. READ MORE: 'We think we're allowed to park on the pavement' READ MORE: Cyclist, 70, fighting for life after driver 'pushes him into parked vehicle' in crash Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Bus services were also forced to divert away from the scene, as the Bee Network announced there was a closure on Hyde Road. Buses were instead being diverted via Bennet Street in both directions amid the incident. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Further details have not been confirmed. Greater Manchester Police have been approached for a statement. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Police investigating Strictly 'drug use' claims
The Metropolitan Police has said it is investigating allegations of drug use on Strictly Come Dancing. In a statement, the Met said it had "received an allegation about drug related offences". "Police are assessing the information and further enquiries are taking place to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed," it said. The BBC said it had "clear protocols and policies in place" for dealing with any serious complaints raised with it. The Met's involvement comes after the the BBC launched an investigation earlier this month into alleged drug use by two stars of the show, who have not been named. It followed a report in the Sun on Sunday, which said the alleged drug use by the stars was widely talked about on the show. BBC News understands the corporation has hired a law firm to help it carry out the probe. On Sunday, the Sun reported that the BBC had referred the matter to police. A Met spokesperson later confirmed that the force had "received an allegation about drug related offences" on Tuesday 12 August. The BBC said it would not comment on any police investigation. But it highlighted a previous statement which read: "We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. "We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further." Strictly, which has been airing since 2004, has faced multiple controversies over the past few years relating to the behaviour of some of its professionals and celebrity guests. It is believed, however, that this is the first time the BBC has been in contact with the police over allegations linked to the show.
