Police Scotland has reopened its investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against the late Mohamed Al Fayed, following the emergence of a new witness. The force had previously concluded its inquiries into a report of a non-recent sexual assault at the Balnagown Estate in 2024, stating that it could not progress the case due to a lack of corroborating evidence.
Sophia Stone, who worked as a personal assistant to Al Fayed after joining Harrods at age 19, first reported her experiences to Police Scotland in 2021. Her husband, Keaton Stone, has previously stated that his wife was groomed, sexually assaulted, and nearly raped by Al Fayed, and endured "constant harassment and sexual assault" in the workplace and during travel with him, including on private aircraft.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday reported that the new witness has corroborated Stone's account, leading Police Scotland to resume its investigation. A spokesperson for the force stated that further investigation is ongoing and declined to comment further.
Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, died in August 2023. Allegations of sexual abuse against him span numerous locations and involve hundreds of women and girls. Harrods has previously issued a statement condemning Al Fayed's alleged actions and its new owners have established a compensation scheme for former employees who claim to have been victims of abuse by him.