The Met Police faces scrutiny as new victims report failures in handling Al Fayed’s assault claims
London: The Met Police is under the microscope after two victims of Mohamed Al Fayed have come forward. They’re upset about how their claims were handled back in 2008.
These complaints are now being looked at by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, with the Independent Office for Police Conduct overseeing things. They think more people might step up as the investigation unfolds.
Al Fayed has been in the spotlight for years, facing allegations of sexual harassment and assault since the mid-90s. He often threatened legal action to silence critics.
Last year, after his death, over 200 women accused him of rape. It’s a shocking number, and the IOPC is taking these new complaints seriously.
In November, the Met referred two cases to the IOPC after the victims expressed concerns about how their allegations were handled. No charges were ever filed against Al Fayed before he passed away.
Currently, the Met is reviewing 21 allegations that were reported before his death. Steve Noonan from the IOPC expressed sympathy for the victims and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
He mentioned that there’s a lot of public concern about this case, given the number of allegations over the years. It’s crucial to find out if there were any missed chances to properly investigate back in 2008.
Noonan also noted that the investigation could expand beyond just these two complaints, helping to connect the dots with ongoing criminal inquiries into those who may have helped Al Fayed.
The complainants will be kept in the loop as the investigation progresses. It’s a tough situation, and everyone is hoping for justice.
