British prosecutors twice determined to not prosecute Mohamed Al Fayed after reviewing recordsdata of proof introduced by the police on the previous Harrods proprietor.
Proof was proven to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2009 and 2015, however it determined to not go forward with the prosecution as a result of there was not “a practical prospect of conviction”.
5 ladies have alleged they had been raped by Mr Al Fayed, who died in 2023 on the age of 94, with quite a few others alleging sexual misconduct.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was head of the service as director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, however a Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned he didn’t deal with Mr Al Fayed’s case, including it “didn’t cross his desk”.
Sir Max Hill KC, director of public prosecutions from 2018 to 2023, mentioned there was not “ample proof” to prosecute Mr Al Fayed in 2009 and 2015, including the case didn’t come to his consideration throughout his time as head of the service.
“We reviewed recordsdata of proof introduced by the police in 2009 and 2015,” a CPS spokesperson mentioned.
“To deliver a prosecution the CPS should be assured there’s a practical prospect of conviction – in every occasion our prosecutors seemed fastidiously on the proof and concluded this wasn’t the case.”
In 2018, 2021 and 2023, it supplied early investigative recommendation to the Metropolitan Police following allegations made in opposition to Mr Al Fayed.
Nevertheless, a full file of proof was by no means obtained by the CPS in every of those situations and so they got no additional motion by police.
A file of proof should be introduced to the CPS by an investigating police drive for it to have formal involvement in a case.
Sir Max instructed Occasions Radio: “My understanding is that really in 2009, after which once more in 2015, a call was made that there wasn’t ample proof to make a optimistic prosecution choice.”
“Thereafter, throughout my time as director, it did not truly come to my consideration.”
The Metropolitan Police mentioned it had investigated “numerous allegations of sexual offences remodeled quite a few years” about Mr Al Fayed, however “no expenses resulted from these investigations”.
It added that “if any additional data involves mild it is going to be assessed and investigated accordingly”.
A Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned: “Keir didn’t deal with this case. It didn’t cross his desk.”
Training Secretary Bridget Phillipson instructed Sky Information’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that Sir Keir Starmer had made tackling violence in opposition to ladies a “private precedence” when he was head of the CPS.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner mentioned she was involved by a tradition of “highly effective individuals who appear to get away with it” in response to the allegations about Mr Al Fayed.
“I feel the CPS has mentioned that they did not have the proof on the time. I am not au fait with all the particulars,” she instructed BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
“However what actually issues me, and it appears to return up time and time once more, is highly effective individuals who appear to get away with it.
“I feel there’s lots of work that must be achieved to be sure that no one is above the regulation and may cover in plain sight.”
Commander Kevin Southworth, who leads on public safety for the Metropolitan Police, mentioned they’re “conscious of varied allegations of sexual offences remodeled quite a few years in relation to the late Mohammed Al Fayed which had been reported to the Met”.
“Every one was investigated and, the place applicable, recommendation from the Crown Prosecution Service was sought.
“No expenses resulted from these investigations.”
A authorized crew representing alleged victims confirmed on Saturday morning that they’ve “had over 150 new inquiries” because the airing of a BBC documentary on Mr Al Fayed.
The inquiries relate to a “mixture of survivors and people with proof about Al Fayed”, a spokesperson for the crew confirmed to the PA information company.
