Home Office confirms five Al Fayed survivors as human trafficking victims

The Home Office has formally recognised five survivors of the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed as victims of human trafficking. The decision follows allegations that associates helped facilitate his alleged crimes across multiple countries and businesses, including Harrods, the Ritz Paris, and private aviation firms.

The survivors received conclusive grounds decisions from the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK’s framework for identifying victims of modern slavery. Referrals were made by the charity Unseen UK, which supports survivors of trafficking and exploitation. The cases date from the 1990s to after the 2010 sale of Harrods.

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How the trafficking network operated

One survivor, referred to as Justine, told the Press Association she was recruited to a false role within Harrods before being subjected to abuse. Two others were hired for legitimate positions and later selected from the shop floor. A fourth survivor worked as a domestic worker for the Fayed family after being recruited through a letting agency.

Isabella, who worked in Al Fayed’s office at Harrods in 2001, said the trafficking extended beyond the department store. She told the Press Association: "He couldn’t have done what he did without Harrods processing women to him and silencing them afterwards. It wasn’t just Harrods, obviously. It was any entity that Fayed owned or had control of."

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“It’s not something I realised was happening to me at the time, so it’s all part of this journey that we’re on now in reliving this experience, and actually really understanding what happened to us, which is very difficult.”

Justine, survivor

Police investigation and next steps

The Metropolitan Police’s Operation Cornpoppy, launched 21 months ago, is examining how associates may have enabled Al Fayed’s alleged crimes. Four people have been questioned so far. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is reviewing complaints about the force’s handling of allegations between 2018 and 2024.

More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against Al Fayed, covering rape, sexual assault, false imprisonment, drugging, physical violence, and forced abortions. The Egyptian businessman died in 2023 at the age of 94 without facing charges.

A Harrods spokesperson said the company supports survivors in their pursuit of justice and is cooperating with the Metropolitan Police. The Home Office’s recognition of the survivors under the NRM allows them to access specialist support services.

What happens next

The Metropolitan Police’s investigation into potential facilitators of Al Fayed’s alleged crimes remains ongoing. Survivors who have received conclusive grounds decisions can now access tailored support, including legal assistance and counselling. The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s review of the Met’s handling of the case is expected to conclude later this year.