Metropolitan Police received Al Fayed allegations 10 years earlier than acknowledged

The BBC has uncovered that the Metropolitan Police received reports of sexual assault allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed ten years prior to its previously stated timeline. Samantha Ramsay, who is now deceased, was 17 years old when she made a report to the Met in 1995, alleging that Al Fayed had groped her at Harrods. The Metropolitan Police had previously indicated that its earliest record of a report was from 2005. Samantha’s relatives assert that the Met disregarded her accusations, and their legal representative has requested a public inquiry into the matter. The Met states that Samantha’s report is not present on its current computer systems, but acknowledges that in 1995, some reports were recorded on paper and may not have been digitized. Regarding the Met’s broader handling of Al Fayed-related matters, Cdr Stephen Clayman commented, “While we cannot change what has happened, we do acknowledge that trust and confidence is affected by our approach in the past and we are determined to do better.” Samantha’s mother, Wendy, and sister, Emma, have spoken publicly for the first time, stating that in 1995, police informed Samantha that numerous women had lodged complaints against Al Fayed. They contend that many women might have been spared sexual abuse had the police force taken action. These disclosures prompt inquiries into whether the Met has fully recognized the total volume of reports it obtained from victims and conceded the scope of its investigative shortcomings. Wendy and Emma characterize Samantha as vibrant, cheerful, and consistently willing to assist. Wendy stated, “Everybody loved her.” In 1995, Samantha relocated to London with the aspiration of working at Harrods. However, her family indicates that the events that transpired there altered the trajectory of her life. Emma conveyed to the BBC, “If it hadn’t happened, I do think she’d probably still be here. I really do.” A legal representative for Samantha’s family and additional individuals who allege to be victims of Al Fayed has advocated for a public inquiry concerning this matter. Emma Jones, associated with the law firm Leigh Day, stated, “A public inquiry can shine a light into the many dark corners of this awful ordeal, which will help lessons to be learnt and recommendations can be made to try to ensure nothing like this happens again.” She further added, “It is clear from Sam’s story that all of the reports against Al Fayed to the police are not accounted for, and until now they have not acknowledged that those that pre-date their digital systems may have been lost. Something needs to be done to ensure this is looked at properly and thoroughly, leaving no room to hide.” Soon after Samantha commenced employment in the Harrods toy department, Al Fayed noticed her and began extending invitations for her to visit his office. Samantha’s account of subsequent events is available in her own words, as she recounted her story to the News of the World in 1998, due to her dissatisfaction with the police’s handling. Her narrative aligns with many other testimonies that have emerged since the BBC documentary “Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods” initially brought forth rape allegations in September. The article details that Al Fayed provided Samantha with £50 notes and proposed more lucrative employment opportunities. However, during their second encounter, he informed her that she required a medical examination and advised her to cleanse herself with Dettol. Subsequently, Al Fayed sexually assaulted her. Samantha’s quoted statement reads, “I was terrified. And then I rushed out of his office. I ran to the toilets and burst into tears.” When Samantha informed her supervisor of the incident, she reported that he merely sighed and uttered, “Another one.” The program “World of Secrets, Season 4: Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods” is available for listening on BBC Sounds. For listeners outside the UK, it can be accessed via podcast platforms. She recounted being subsequently escorted to a room where Al Fayed was brought to confront her. He then aggressively reprimanded her and terminated her employment immediately, she stated. Emma recollected, “She came out of that feeling quite threatened,” further noting that Al Fayed had warned Samantha, “You will not tell anyone about this, because we know where you live. We know your family.” The following day, Samantha proceeded to Marylebone police station in central London and reported the incident. Emma and Wendy both state that they received phone calls from Samantha at that time, during which she informed them that the police had recorded her information but indicated that no action would be taken, citing that it was her testimony against his and he possessed too much influence. Emma remembers the police telling Samantha, “We’ve added it to a pile of other female names that we’ve got that have made the same complaint against Mohamed Al Fayed.” “So we know that they had other reports,” she commented. Samantha additionally informed the News of the World that the police had stated she was “not the first” and possessed “files inches high” concerning Al Fayed. Following a lack of communication from the Met, the family consulted a police officer they knew in Hampshire, who advised them to also report the matter to their local station in Gosport. The BBC has interviewed this retired officer, who independently corroborated this narrative. Wendy stated that police officers visited her residence and recorded a statement from her. “It was apparently sent to the Met Police,” she remarked. Nevertheless, the family has not received any communication from the force to date. Wendy further stated, “She was totally let down.” She continued, “I believe that a lot of women could have been saved going through what she went through if the police had listened.” The Met reports that since the BBC documentary aired, it has located reports from 21 women who made accusations against Al Fayed between 2005 and his passing in 2023. Last month, the BBC disclosed that while Al Fayed was alive, the Met forwarded complete evidence files pertaining to only two of these women to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Subsequent to that report, the Met released a statement that conveyed the impression of having received preliminary investigative guidance from the CPS regarding 10 of the women. This guidance constitutes a formal process where the CPS offers an an assessment of a case’s merits after receiving evidence from the police. Nevertheless, the CPS has now verified to the BBC that it provided such advice in only four instances, and the Met has informed the BBC of its acceptance of this fact. Al Fayed was never formally charged. Since September of this year, an additional 60 women have approached the police force. The Met stated that its examination of allegations concerning Mohamed Al Fayed is still in progress. Cdr Stephen Clayman remarked, “The way the Met works has moved on immeasurably in the last 30 years, and our teams have transformed the way we investigate rape and sexual offences.” Wendy and Emma believe that the experience of not being credited at a young age significantly impacted Samantha’s mental well-being. Emma observed, “Her spark had gone almost. The ray of light that she always had was dimming. The more time that passed from the incident, the dimmer it got. Sadly.” Upon her return to her family residence from London, her family indicates that Samantha developed a distrust of others and frequently changed jobs, failing to establish stability. Emma stated, “It really changed her outlook on life, and we had 12 years of erratic behaviour after that, a suicide attempt, and never really finding her place.” Samantha passed away in a car crash in 2007, at the age of 28. While her death was officially classified as an accident, her family suspects she may have attempted to end her own life. They assert that the inquest did not delve into her mental health background, and they will remain uncertain. Her mother commented, “She was never right after what happened in London.” Wendy and Emma explained their desire to speak with the BBC by stating that Samantha is no longer alive to share her own story. Their choice mirrors Samantha’s action 26 years prior, when she informed the News of the World, “I have been left violated by this man… Someone has to speak out.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.