Scotland Yard is currently facing allegations of corruption involving police officers who are accused of helping Mohamed Al Fayed in persecuting his staff. These allegations include claims that a detective constable regularly accepted cash bribes to carry out Fayed’s requests. It was reported that the constable was even given a mobile phone by Harrods to aid in his illicit activities. Additionally, a senior commander within the Met was said to have received large hampers from Harrods as a token of appreciation for his assistance.
One of the alleged victims of this corruption was a young nanny named Hermina da Silva, who worked for Fayed’s children. She was reportedly dismissed after rejecting advances from the billionaire and was then falsely accused of theft. Despite being arrested, she was later released without charge. The former security chief at Harrods, John Macnamara, who was also a former detective, was quoted as saying, “It’s amazing what they will do for just a few readies,” highlighting the extent of the corruption.
These allegations came to light in a 52-page written statement drafted in 1997 by Bob Loftus, who worked under Macnamara at Harrods. The statement was part of Vanity Fair’s defense in a libel case brought by Fayed against the magazine. Although the case was settled out of court, the allegations raised serious concerns about the involvement of some police officers in enabling Fayed’s actions.
Furthermore, a BBC documentary aired recently featured testimonies from five women who claimed they were raped by Fayed. The Met has stated that they are investigating new allegations of sexual crimes in addition to reviewing previous cases involving Fayed. While criminal proceedings cannot be brought against a deceased individual, the authorities are exploring potential avenues to pursue charges against others involved in criminal activities related to Fayed.
The allegations outlined in Loftus’s statement shed light on the extent of corruption and misuse of power within the police force. It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate these claims and hold all responsible parties accountable for their actions. Harrods has expressed willingness to cooperate with the Metropolitan police in any inquiries related to the accusations against Fayed, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing such serious allegations.
