Al Fayed sex claim file passed on

Allegations against Mr Al Fayed were made in May

Police have passed evidence to prosecutors over allegations that Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed sexually assaulted a girl under 16.

Scotland Yard said detectives had handed a file of information to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which will now decide whether to charge him.

Police have been investigating claims a girl, reported to be 15, was assaulted at the London department store in May.

In October, Mr Al Fayed was questioned over the allegations, which he denies.

The store owner attended a west London police station by prior arrangement and was interviewed under caution.

It is now a matter for the CPS to consider the evidence and decide whether or not any charges should be brought Metropolitan Police spokesman

Afterwards, his spokeswoman Katharine Witty said he had spent less than 30 minutes at the station and was "confident" his name would be cleared.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the its specialist crime directorate had passed on the file.

"The investigation, originally begun by Operation Sapphire, looked into allegations of sexual assault on a girl under 16 at a business premises in central London," he said.

"As part of the investigation, a man attended a west London police station on October 22 by prior arrangement and was questioned.

"It is now a matter for the CPS to consider the evidence and decide whether or not any charges should be brought."

Mr Al Fayed's UK business interests include high-profile department store Harrods and Premiership football club Fulham.

Despite living in London for many years, Mr Al Fayed has repeatedly been denied a British passport.