Al Fayed denies sexually assaulting teenage girl

By OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

London

Oct. 23: Egyptian billionaire Mohammed Al Fayed was questioned by the Metropolitan police over an allegation of sexual assault against a girl aged under 16 years old.

The 75-year-old Harrods boss was questioned by the police under caution over allegations by a 15-year-old girl that he had groped her breasts and forcibly French-kissed her in his office at the Knightsbridge store in London, according to a report in the Sun.

Mr Al Fayed had "vehemently denied" the allegations, one of his spokespersons said, and added that he is confident his name would be cleared.

Mr Al Fayed voluntarily went to a police station in Twickenham, southwest London, on Wednesday to answer questions. He was warned that anything he said could be used in evidence against him, the report added.

The police has also questioned several Harrods staff members and the teenage girl will be questioned about the incident. A report will then be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will decide if charges will be brought regarding the alleged incident. Mr Al Fayed, according to the report, is said to have noticed the teenager from Surrey as she shopped in Harrods with her mother. He allegedly chatted to the pair and asked for the teenager’s phone number.

The girl told the police he took her to his private office when she visited the store in May on his invitation. He allegedly began rubbing her back before fondling her in the office, the report quoted the girl as telling the police.