Key facts
- At least five survivors of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed have been confirmed as human trafficking victims by the Home Office.
- Survivors allege that associates of Fayed facilitated his crimes by supplying women through international and domestic trafficking.
- Victims were recruited via false roles at Harrods or legitimate roles from which they were selected for abuse.
- The abuse and trafficking allegations span from the 1990s to after the 2010 sale of Harrods.
- Operation Cornpoppy, investigating facilitators, has questioned four people.
- More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking, were made against Fayed.
At least five individuals who were victims of abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have been officially confirmed by the Home Office as victims of human trafficking. This confirmation comes as a group of survivors urges the Metropolitan Police to prioritize trafficking in their ongoing investigation, asserting that Fayed could not have committed his offenses without associates supplying women to him.
These women were subjected to both international and domestic trafficking. One survivor recounted to the Press Association (PA) being recruited under the pretense of a false role within Harrods, while two others were hired for legitimate positions before being selected for abuse. The timeline for these incidents extends from the 1990s up to the period following Harrods' sale in 2010.
The Metropolitan Police's investigation, known as Operation Cornpoppy, is examining who may have facilitated Fayed’s crimes. To date, four individuals have been questioned, 21 months after the investigation commenced.
"Shellshocked" but recognizing the significance, survivor Justine shared her reaction to receiving the conclusive grounds decision in June, confirming her status as a victim of modern slavery and trafficking. Another survivor, Isabella, who worked in Fayed's office at Harrods in 2001, stated that Fayed relied on Harrods and other entities he controlled, including yachts, aviation businesses, the Ritz Paris, and properties globally, to procure and silence women.
More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct, encompassing claims of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, false imprisonment, drugging, physical violence, and forced abortions, have been made against Fayed for the period between 1977 and 2014. The Egyptian businessman passed away in 2023 at the age of 94 without facing any charges.
A woman previously stated she was trafficked in Paris on Fayed's orders in 2008 before being sent to London for sexual assault. Pelham Spong, 40, from South Carolina, alleged that Fayed, who owned the Ritz hotel in Paris, forcibly kissed her and offered her a substantial salary to engage in sexual activity.
Survivors have previously voiced concerns regarding the Metropolitan Police's handling of investigations into Fayed’s abuse. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently reviewing complaints concerning the force's management of these allegations between 2018 and 2024.
A spokesperson for Harrods affirmed the company's support for all survivors in their pursuit of justice and its continued cooperation with the Met Police's investigation.