A man in his 60s has been interviewed under caution by detectives investigating alleged sexual abuse by former Harrods boss Mohamed al-Fayed.
The Metropolitan Police said the man was questioned earlier this month on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and human trafficking, after 154 people came forward to report allegations against the former Fulham FC owner, who died in 2023.
The interview follows those of three women, aged in their 40s, 50s and 60s, who were quizzed by detectives between 25 February and 5 March, in what the Met has described as one of its “largest and most complex investigations”.
The women were questioned on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Police said no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
The Met previously said it was investigating people surrounding the businessman who could have enabled him to carry out more than 400 sexual misconduct crimes, which are claimed to have spanned decades between 1977 and 2014.
Earlier this month, the force said that officers had taken detailed accounts from victims and witnesses over the past 18 months to build a comprehensive picture of the alleged offending, allowing them to include allegations of human trafficking in the investigation.
Before any suspect was interviewed under caution, lawyers representing Al-Fayed’s alleged victims urged police to treat the scandal as “trafficking allegations”.
Metropolitan Police commander Angela Craggs said that the update marked an important step in the “complex and far-reaching investigation”.
“Victims remain at the centre of this investigation,” she said. “While Al-Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution, we have always been determined to bring anyone who is suspected to have played a part in his offending to justice.
“We encourage anyone with information, whether you were directly affected by Mohamed al-Fayed’s actions or have concerns about others who may have been involved or committed offences, to contact us.”
Police pointed to the Crimestoppers hotline to share information anonymously via 0800 555 111 or through their online form.
“We will share further updates when we are able to do so and only when this will not risk jeopardising criminal or other proceedings.”
Al-Fayed died in 2023, aged 94. He and his brothers purchased the House of Fraser group, which at the time included Harrods, in 1985. The department store was split off from the group in 1994.
Claims of sexual misconduct against the billionaire businessman were the subject of pieces by Vanity Fair in 1995, ITV in 1997, Channel 4 in 2017, and the BBC in 2024.
He was first accused of sexual abuse in the late 1980s, but the allegations did not lead to criminal charges.
