Scots police launch new inquiry into sex assault claims against former billionaire Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed

Police have reopened an inquiry into sex assault claims against former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The force is examining reports of abuse at the billionaire’s ‘castle of horrors’ Highland estate dating back more than 30 years.A former Harrods worker previously revealed that she was subjected to a terrifying attack which she described as an attempted rape, during a trip to Balnagown Castle, Ross-shire, in 1991.Sophia Stone, now 58, said she finally had the courage to come forward to Police Scotland in 2021 to report what happened to her, but the force said there was no corroboration and couldn’t progress it further.The MoS understands a new witness came forward this year who could back up Ms Stone’s account, which has prompted the force in Scotland to reopen the probe. The witness is thought to have been a fellow Harrods worker on the trip. A second woman also claimed that she was sexually assaulted by another member of the Fayed family at the estate decades ago.At the time of Ms Stone’s report the Metropolitan Police had received dozens of complaints of a similar nature against the Harrods boss. He died two years later, denying his victims any justice.The Mail on Sunday understands a new witness came forward earlier this year who can back up Ms Stone’s account, which has prompted the force in Scotland to re-open the probe. The witness is thought to have been a fellow Harrods worker who was also on the trip. Sophia Stone was attacked at Balnagown, the Highlands estate owned by the Harrods mogulTwo MPs on the All-Party Parliamentary Group looking into the sex abuse scandal also contacted Police Scotland in November urging them to re-investigate. Balnagown estate in Ross-shire has been dubbed the 'castle of horrors' Speaking exclusively to the MoS, Ms Stone said although she welcomes the decision, she had not been informed of the development by the force.‘I’m pleased to hear Police Scotland is looking at my case again. Its closure was devastating for me personally, so I fully support the investigation.‘I was just a little taken aback to learn about it from a journalist rather than from the police, particularly when I have heard nothing about what is happening.’Ms Stone worked at Harrods from 1988, when she was 19, and had dreams of becoming a fashion buyer. She was quickly spotted by the Egyptian owner on the shop floor and was promoted to his personal assistant, where she was regularly sexually harassed.During a trip to Balnagown, the sprawling Highland estate purchased by Al Fayed in 1972, Ms Stone said the businessman entered her room, took off his dressing gown and forced himself on top of her.She said: ‘He was kissing me and pushing me down and trying to pull my pyjama bottoms off.’After the attack, she said she felt ‘physically sick’ and it has had a lasting impact on her life.Now working as a receptionist in Staffordshire, Ms Stone said that although Al Fayed is dead, she believes others who helped him cover up his crimes, traffic women for him and who witnessed his abuses should be held accountable.She said: ‘It’s important to continue fighting for justice because Fayed did not act entirely alone.‘There were people around him who helped him, enabled him or helped conceal what he was doing - not only at Harrods and Park Lane, but at all his businesses and residences, including Balnagown Castle.‘Those people have carried on with their lives while survivors have lived with the consequences every single day - in mine and many other cases, for decades. Until there is accountability for that we have not had justice.’Ms Stone’s husband Keaton began investigating Al-Fayed’s crimes after his wife disclosed the abuse that she faced while she worked for him. His investigation has led to more than 400 women coming forward to seek justice and the Metropolitan Police are now investigating more than 150 allegations against the former Harrods boss.He has since set up the campaign group Justice For Fayed & Harrods Survivors, which is working with MPs alongside fellow survivors’ campaign group No One Above.He said: ‘It’s a relief the police are looking at Sophia’s case again, and I hope that arrests follow, because Fayed didn’t schedule, deliver or manage his prolific abuse over decades all on his own.’Wendy Chamberlain, LibDem MP for North East Fife who previously called for Police Scotland to re-open their probe, said: ‘As Co-Chair of the APPG for the Survivors of Fayed and Harrods, I have directly from survivors about their lack of faith in investigations into Fayed and those who enabled his crimes.‘I’m pleased that there is an active Police Scotland investigation underway and hope that it provides the accountability that survivors demand.’A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: ‘Further investigation is ongoing. It would be inappropriate to comment further.’