Met apologises for exposing 143 email addresses of Mohamed Al Fayed victims

In a group update about its investigation into the former Harrods owner, the force copied the email addresses of 143 victims in a message that included about 12 other recipients, the Telegraph reported. The update was informing victims that three more suspects, one in their 70s and two in their 80s, had been interviewed under caution. In total, seven people have been interviewed under caution.

The force said it understood the “impact this may have on victims” and blamed “human error” for the incident. It has referred itself to the information commissioner. A Met spokesperson told the Telegraph: “On Tuesday, 11 August, officers issued a monthly update to victims regarding progress in our investigation into those who may have facilitated Mohamed Fayed’s offending. Due to human error, recipients’ email addresses were visible to others on the distribution list. The issue was identified quickly and immediate action was taken. We understand the impact this may have on victims and sincerely apologise. Everyone affected was contacted directly on the day of the incident.” The spokesperson said the incident was being investigated as a priority and that the force was reviewing its processes to prevent a similar breach.

More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against Fayed for the period between 1977 and 2014, including claims of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, false imprisonment, drugging, physical violence and forced abortions. The Egyptian businessman died in 2023 aged 94 without facing any charges. The Met is investigating allegations made by at least 155 victims, at least 21 of whom are understood to have come forward before Fayed’s death.

The Met’s approach to the case has been criticised by Fayed’s victims. In June, three survivors complained to the Independent Office for Police Conduct about the force’s handling of allegations between 2018 and 2024. That same month, the Met sent the handwritten accounts of survivor Joanna Brittan to another victim in Australia. In May, the IOPC launched an investigation into a serving Met officer and four former officers over their handling of allegations against the late businessman.

Operation Cornpoppy, launched 21 months ago, is looking at potential suspects who may have facilitated or enabled Fayed’s crimes. As of last week it had interviewed just four people under caution. Victims have called for a wider investigation into trafficking, arguing that without it the “true scale” of the billionaire’s alleged network would remain hidden. No One Above, a collective founded by victims of abuse at the hands of Fayed, has urged the National Crime Agency to set up a joint investigation team with the Met and have oversight of the inquiry. Lawyers representing the Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group said 421 people had come forward about abuse that allegedly took place at the luxury department store in central London, as well as at the Ritz hotel in Paris, Fulham FC, and other places owned by Fayed.