Two complaints against the Metropolitan Police over its handling of allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed are to be investigated by the force under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The Met is currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations made before the former Harrods boss died in 2023. It referred two of these to the IOPC in November.

On Wednesday, the police watchdog said that the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will continue to investigate those two complaints, but will do so under the IOPC’s direction.

Claims of sexual offences by Al Fayed arose in a BBC documentary, after his death, which revealed the extent of his predatory behaviour.

Previously, the Met said it found reports from 21 women who accused Al Fayed between 2005 and his death in 2023, prior to the BBC broadcast.

Dozens more have since contacted the force following the documentary, with allegations stretching as far back as 1977. A wider investigation by the Met into the claims against Al Fayed is ongoing.

In November, the Met referred itself to the IOPC over its initial response to two cases it investigated in 2008 and 2013.

IOPC director of operations Steve Noonan said: “There is widespread public concern around this case, with a significant number of allegations reported over many years while Mr Al Fayed was still alive.

“It’s important that an investigation is carried out into these complaints to identify if there were any missed opportunities or failures by officers to properly investigate these reports.”