Victims of Fayed abuse accuse British police of failing to investigate

Survivors of the sexual assaults allegedly committed by Mohamed Al-Fayed, the famous owner of London's "Harrods" store, tell AFP horrifying details about what they say they endured for years due to the Egyptian billionaire's practices of "human trafficking," accusing British police of neglecting the case.

After two decades of suffering sexual violations from Al-Fayed, Isabella (a pseudonym) listened to testimonies from other women she described as "terrifyingly similar," painting a picture of a vast and complex network of sexual exploitation.
Disappointment with the investigation
Isabella is one of at least 7 survivors of sexual assaults attributed to the late Egyptian businessman, whose cases were recognized this year by the British Home Office as victims of human trafficking.

A number of these women told AFP that they feel disappointed by the investigation that London police continue to conduct regarding individuals suspected of facilitating Al-Fayed's actions. They accuse police officers of not going far enough in investigating what they described as a "system of human trafficking," allegations that the police deny.

Like other young women who were within Al-Fayed's circle, Isabella said she was forced to undergo a gynecological examination and was given a nominal job in the chairman's office.

Isabella said, "I would enter a small windowless room where he tried to push me to take money," adding that the Egyptian billionaire sexually assaulted her later inside that dark room.

She did not realize until years later that she may have been a victim of human trafficking at the hands of Mohamed Al-Fayed, who died in 2023 at the age of 94 without facing any charges despite multiple complaints filed against him.

Isabella's case was referred by the charity "Unseen" to the National Referral Mechanism, the official framework adopted in the United Kingdom to identify victims of modern slavery, before she was officially recognized as a victim of human trafficking in May.

The definition of human trafficking involves facilitating the employment or transportation of a person, whether across international borders or within the same country, for the purpose of exploitation.

Operation "Cornbury"
Isabella said that when she went to London police in 2024, no one mentioned the possibility that she was a victim of human trafficking, although British police are legally obligated to refer potential victims of human trafficking to the National Referral Mechanism.

London police launched Operation "Cornbury" in 2024 following the broadcast of a BBC documentary covering the abuses suffered by employees at the "Harrods" store over decades.

In a briefing by London police in July reviewed by AFP, the police acknowledged that they were initially not "prepared" for the scale of the investigation.

To date, 163 victims have reported to the police claims related to sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking linked to Al-Fayed.

But women who spoke to AFP said the number of victims could be much higher, as many did not file complaints due to fears that London police focus only on Al-Fayed's actions within "Harrods" rather than a wider network.

A number of victims accused the late businessman of committing violations in other locations, including his apartments in central London, the "Ritz" hotel in Paris, Fulham Football Club, and his fleet of private jets known as "Fayair."

The police say they are in contact with investigators in France, where a specialized unit combating human trafficking is investigating allegations directed at Mohamed Al-Fayed and his brother Salah Al-Fayed.

"Achieving Justice"
Joanna Brittain said she was transferred to the "Harrods" store in 1990 when she was 25 years old.

She adds that she was driven to Al-Fayed's country home in Oxted outside London, where she believes she was drugged and then assaulted.

The British Home Office recognized this year that Brittain was a victim of human trafficking in London, Oxted, the "Ritz" hotel, and the city of Cannes.

London police have identified at least 70 potential victims of human trafficking and intend to refer them to the National Referral Mechanism.

They also interrogated 7 people suspected of facilitating Al-Fayed's actions, without carrying out any arrests.

Currently, a serving London police officer and four former officers are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in Britain regarding suspicions of misconduct related to how they handled accusations against Al-Fayed between 2008 and 2013.

A spokesperson for London police told AFP, "We continue to work towards achieving justice for all victims of Mohamed Al-Fayed, and we recognize the important role played by the National Referral Mechanism."

He added, "We will continue to assess all victim statements, searching for evidence of human trafficking."