Police Scotland conducting 'further' probe into Mohamed Al Fayed sexual assault claims

Police Scotland are conducting “further investigation” into sexual assault claims made against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against Al Fayed, dating between 1977 and 2014.

These allegations include rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, false imprisonment, drugging, physical violence and forced abortions.

In 2025, Police Scotland closed an investigation into an allegation of rape at the estate he owned in the Highlands, saying it could be reopened if new information came to light.

The Mail on Sunday reports the force is examining claims by former Harrods worker Sophia Stone of an alleged attempted rape during a trip to Balnagown Castle in 1991 after a new witness came forward.

The paper says the force could not originally progress the case without corroboration, but now a new witness is understood to have spoken to police to back up Stone’s account.

Stone, now 58, was personal assistant to Al-Fayed after joining Harrods at 19.

Al Fayed purchased the estate in the village of Kildary in Easter Ross in 1972.

Lawyers representing the Justice for Harrods Survivors group report that 421 people have come forward about abuse that took place at Harrods, the Ritz Hotel Paris, Fulham FC and other places owned by Al Fayed.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating 155 victims who contacted them directly, including 21 who came forward before Al Fayed’s death in 2023 at the age of 94.

The investigation, known as Operation Cornpoppy, is looking at people who may have facilitated or enabled Al Fayed’s crimes.

Four people have been questioned to date, more than 18 months after the investigation opened.

A Met Police spokesperson told the Press Association the force is determined to “bring anyone who is suspected to have played a part in Mohamed Al Fayed’s offending to justice”.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Further investigation is ongoing. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”