Mohamed Al Fayed 'faked dementia to avoid police sex crimes probe', tycoon's son says

8 December 2024, 00:33

Mohamed Al Fayed's son says that the late Harrods boss faked dementia in order to avoid police probes into alleged sex crimes.
Mohamed Al Fayed's son says that the late Harrods boss faked dementia in order to avoid police probes into alleged sex crimes. Picture: Getty

By Chay Quinn

Mohamed Al Fayed's son says that the late Harrods boss faked dementia in order to avoid police probes into alleged sex crimes.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Omar Al Fayed, the youngest of the businessman's five children, told The Mail on Sunday he wished investigations by the Metropolitan Police into his father's conduct "had been able to take its course when he was still alive".

Investigators twice sent files for a charging decision to the Crown Prosecution Service - once in 2008 relating to three victims and again in 2015 linked to one other.

Read More: Mohamed Al Fayed 'gave envelopes full of cash to try and buy employees' silence about alleged sex crimes

Read More: 'He's doing a fantastic job': Trump meets Prince William after Notre Dame reopening

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.

Omar said individuals surrounding Al Fayed helped him avoid further police probing "on the grounds he was mentally incapacitated" and had dementia, but that when he returned to business affairs he was "as sharp as a tack".

Since the latest publicity around the case, 90 alleged victims have contacted the Metropolitan Police to say they fell prey to the tycoon, who died in 2023.

This is on top of 21 alleged victims who had already contacted the force.

The youngest from the latest 90 is thought to have been 13 years old at the time she was reportedly abused, and the alleged crimes include rape and sexual assault.

Omar told the newspaper he believed there was a lost opportunity in 2017, when Al Fayed was aged 90, when police examined abuse allegations.

He said: "If a Nazi general is found to have been hiding in the Algarve for the last 50 years then of course he should be tried."

The 37-year-old told the Mail on Sunday he got "dirty old man vibes" from his father, and "knew about the call girls", and that he now felt "a degree of relief" that the allegations were coming to light.

Last month, the Metropolitan Police said it had launched an investigation into more than five people who may have "facilitated" his alleged crimes.

Omar, who resigned from Harrods in 2009, continued: "I am sad that victims of these horrific alleged crimes were not able to address them in a timely manner.

"Maybe then they could have had some form of closure. There might have been some comeuppance, consequences.

"My father embodied systemic issues - racism and homophobia, among them - and we need to air them as caring human beings."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

'I'd build a fourth runway at Heathrow,' says Michael Gove

'Build, baby, build': Michael Gove says he'd green light 'fourth runway at Heathrow,' as Reeves' plans divide Labour

Live
Axel Rudakubana to be sentenced for the murder of three girls in Southport knife rampage

LIVE: Axel Rudakubana to be sentenced for the murder of three girls in Southport knife rampage

Breaking
A rare red weather alert has been issued warning of danger to life

Rare red ‘danger to life’ weather alert issued ahead of Storm Éowyn

Police officers stand in lines to stop the at Whitehall in London.

Met Police out of special measures after boosting performance despite 'failing in almost every area' just 5 months ago

Kyle Clifford pled guilty to the murder of Carol Hunt and her two daughters.

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford ‘controlled and ridiculed’ girlfriend 'banning' her from staying out late and wearing make-up

Breaking News

Hunt for killer after woman in her 40s dies after 'serious assault' in Plymouth

Adele told the world Lock House was haunted.

Adele sabotaged sale of my £6million mansion by telling the world it is haunted, landlord fumes

Boy attacked by Axel Rudakubana with hockey stick 'targeted by thugs' blaming him for Southport attack

Boy attacked by Axel Rudakubana with hockey stick 'targeted by thugs' blaming him for Southport attack

Exclusive
A resident has told LBC of the horrific aftermath of the Southport attack perpetrated by Axel Rudakubana

'I looked him in the eye and said what have you done?': Horror aftermath of Southport rampage revealed

The service says it saw a huge jump in signups following the January 6 riot, which prompted Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to crack down on Trump and others who they said had incited violence. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

January 6 rioter arrested on gun charges less than 24 hours after Trump pardon

Ricky Gervais has paid tribute to his After Life character's dog

'A beautiful soul': Ricky Gervais heartbroken over death of After Life co-star

Migrants sit onboard an inflatable boat before attempting to illegally cross the English Channel to reach Britain

Up to 'one in 12' people living in London is is an illegal migrant

Trump Supporters Hold "Stop The Steal" Rally In DC Amid Ratification Of Presidential Election

Trump says January 6 attacks on police officers were 'very minor incidents' in first major interview since inauguration

British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves speaks during a press conference after the 11th China - UK Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing on January 11, 2025.

Rachel Reeves says mission for growth is a higher priority than Labour's net zero goals

NHS Royal Victoria Infirmary RVI Hospital and Accident Emergency entrance sign

Half of the population will end up in A&E unless NHS is reformed, warns England’s top doctor

"Instead of being met with empathy, those who fall behind on council tax face a system which is at best dated - and at worst, dangerous," the letter says.

Charities call for end to 'cruel and archaic' practice of jailing people who can’t pay council tax