Survivors of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed call for trafficking investigation
Survivors of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed – Victims of sexual abuse involving the late Mohamed Al Fayed are demanding a broader inquiry into human trafficking, asserting that without such an approach, the full scope of his alleged criminal network will remain obscured. A collective of survivors, known as No One Above (NOA), is urging the Metropolitan Police to shift their focus from individual misconduct to the systemic nature of the abuse, highlighting the need for an international investigation into the billionaire’s operations.
Allegations Against Mohamed Al Fayed
The Egyptian businessman, who owned Harrods, the Ritz hotel in Paris, and Fulham FC, has been linked to over 400 reports of sexual misconduct spanning nearly four decades, from 1977 to 2014. These include claims of rape, sexual assault, false imprisonment, drugging, physical violence, and forced abortions. Despite the allegations, Fayed passed away in 2023 at the age of 94 without facing any formal charges.
Lawyers representing the Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group stated that 421 individuals have reported abuse connected to Fayed’s properties, with 155 victims directly contacting the Met. Among those, 21 came forward before his death, raising concerns about the urgency of the investigation. NOA argues that the current approach risks overlooking the international web of enablers who facilitated the abuse, emphasizing that a trafficking-focused inquiry would reveal a more comprehensive picture of the network.
The Met’s Response
A Met spokesperson noted that the investigation is led by specialist detectives and has been ongoing for 18 months. The police have gathered detailed accounts from victims and witnesses, aiming to build a thorough understanding of the alleged offenses. They reiterated that the victims are central to the inquiry, with clear communication being a priority as the case unfolds.
However, NOA insists that the Met’s current efforts are insufficient to address the complexity of the case. The group has proposed that the National Crime Agency establish a joint investigation team (Jit) to work alongside the Met, ensuring cross-border collaboration. This team would allow international police and prosecutors to contribute to the inquiry, helping to trace the global reach of Fayed’s alleged operations.
Testimonies from Survivors
“Survivors of Mohamed Fayed have waited years, and in many cases decades, for the police to investigate allegations against him. Understandably, many fear that his enablers will never be brought to justice,” said a member of the all-party parliamentary group representing Fayed’s victims.
One survivor, who chose to use the pseudonym Justine, described her experience working at Harrods in the 1990s. At 22, she was subjected to a systematic process of selection, isolation, and grooming by Fayed. “He would walk the floor, flanked by security teams, some uniformed and others not, scanning for women he found attractive,” she told the Press Association. “Once identified, someone from his team would invite the woman to his offices, where the abuse began.”
Justine recounted how women were threatened into silence, with security personnel following them and making “very direct threats of harm or ruin.” She stressed that Fayed’s actions could not have occurred without the complicity of others, including HR staff, bank officials, and airport workers. “This was not just an act of one man, but a coordinated system supported by many helpers,” she said. “Without a trafficking investigation and a Jit, the true scale of this network won’t be seen, because everything is being drip-fed over time.”
MPs and the Independent Office for Police Conduct
In May, members of Parliament raised concerns about how the police had handled past and present allegations against Fayed. They highlighted the need for transparency in the process, as survivors have long felt their stories were not taken seriously. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now examining how these allegations were managed, with one serving officer and four former officers under investigation.
The call for a trafficking-focused inquiry has gained traction as more survivors come forward, sharing accounts of abuse that span multiple locations and institutions. Some critics argue that the Met’s investigation, while thorough, has been limited in its scope, potentially missing the broader international implications of Fayed’s alleged activities. NOA’s representatives continue to push for a coordinated effort that bridges national boundaries, ensuring all contributors to the abuse are held accountable.
Broader Implications of the Investigation
The investigation into Fayed’s past is seen as a pivotal moment for understanding how abuse can be institutionalized. Survivors point to the way he operated within Harrods, using the store’s influence to create an environment conducive to exploitation. “The abuse followed a now familiar pattern of selection, isolation, grooming, manipulation, coercion, transportation, abuse, intimidation, and then surveillance and threat,” Justine explained. “It was horrific, and it left many women in a state of fear for years.”
As the inquiry progresses, it is expected to shed light on the interconnected systems that allowed Fayed to perpetrate his alleged crimes. The formation of a Jit team would not only enhance the investigation’s depth but also provide a platform for international collaboration. This approach is vital, given the global nature of the network that the survivors believe Fayed orchestrated. The Met remains committed to its role, but the urgency for a more expansive strategy is growing among the victims and their advocates.
