The Metropolitan Police mistakenly exposed the email addresses of 143 people on its victims' distribution list during a routine update about the investigation into Mohamed Fayed. The force called the incident "human error," contacted those affected immediately and referred the matter to the Information Commissioner's Office. The update also noted three further suspects had been interviewed under caution, bringing the total to seven. The breach follows earlier handling errors in the Harrods-linked inquiry, which has prompted IOPC oversight amid more than 400 allegations.
Met Exposes Email Addresses of 143 Alleged Victims in Harrods-Linked Investigation
More than 400 claims of sexual misconduct have been made against Fayed, who died in 2023 - SHAUN CURRY/AFP
The Metropolitan Police accidentally revealed the email addresses of 143 people identified as victims in its investigation into the late Mohamed Fayed by copying them into a single group message on 11 August. The force described the incident as "human error" and said it referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
What Happened
The Met sent a routine monthly update to people registered on its victims' distribution list about progress in the inquiry into those who may have facilitated Fayed's offending. Because recipients were included in a shared distribution field, recipients' addresses became visible to others on the chain.
"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," a Met spokesman told The Telegraph. "We understand the impact this may have on victims and sincerely apologise. Everyone affected was contacted directly on the day of the incident."
Investigation Updates
The email informed recipients that three additional suspects had been interviewed under caution — one in their 70s and two in their 80s — bringing the total number interviewed under caution to seven. The Met said the incident is being treated as a priority, that it has begun a review of processes, and that it has reported the breach to the ICO.
Survivors of Fayed's abuse have said that they were selected for abuse from the shop floor - SOPA Images
Broader Context And Earlier Errors
The error is the latest in a sequence of mistakes by the force in its handling of the Harrods-linked case. In June, a complainant, Joanna Brittain, said the Met accidentally sent handwritten notes of her account to another woman in Australia; that breach was also referred to the ICO and reportedly resulted in a one-off payment to the affected woman.
More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct — including rape and human trafficking — have been made against Mohamed Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94. The alleged offences span roughly from 1977 to 2014. The criminal inquiry, known as Operation Cornpoppy, was opened nearly two years ago but had interviewed only a small number of people until mid-June.
Oversight And Wider Concerns
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is assessing several complaints from victims and is overseeing an investigation into potential misconduct by one serving and four former Met officers. That probe is being conducted by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards under the watchdog's direction and control.
- The Home Office has confirmed five of Fayed's victims were trafficked and are considered victims of modern slavery.
The Met says it is investigating the email breach as a priority, has contacted those affected, and is reviewing internal procedures to help prevent a recurrence.
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