Two complaints from victim-survivors about the force’s handling of allegations they made against al-Fayed will be investigated by the Met itself under the direction of the independent policing watchdog. The Independent understands the allegations were both accusations of sexual assault.

U.K. police watchdogs will investigate whether the London force bungled its handling of sex crimes allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed.

The force’s Directorate of Professional Standards will investigate the way it dealt with the cases under the direction of a police watchdog.

The Metropolitan Police is currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations made before the former Harrods boss died in 2023 and referred two of those to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in November.

The IOPC announced on Wednesday, January 8 that while the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will investigate the complaints, it will do so under the watchdog's direction. IOPC director of operations Steve Noonan said: "Our sympathies are with all the victim-survivors who reported allegations against Mr Al Fayed.

Two complaints against the Metropolitan Police over its handling of allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed are to be investigated by the force under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Two complaints against the Metropolitan Police over its handling of allegations against former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed will be investigated by the force itself under the direction of a watchdog.