Survivors of abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed are demanding a comprehensive investigation into human trafficking, asserting that such an inquiry is necessary to uncover the full extent of the billionaire’s alleged network.
The collective No One Above (NOA), established by victims of Fayed, is urging the Metropolitan Police to expand their current probe and prioritize trafficking allegations. Between 1977 and 2014, more than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct were leveled against Fayed, including claims of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, false imprisonment, drugging, physical violence, and forced abortions. The Egyptian businessman passed away in 2023 at the age of 94 without ever facing charges.
Legal representatives for the Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group stated that 421 individuals have reported abuse occurring at the London luxury department store, the Ritz hotel in Paris, Fulham FC, and other Fayed-owned properties. While the Metropolitan Police are investigating 155 victims who contacted them directly—21 of whom reported before Fayed's death—NOA argues the focus must shift to trafficking to identify the international network that facilitated the abuse.
The group has called on the National Crime Agency to establish a joint investigation team to oversee the Metropolitan Police's work. This structure would allow international police and prosecutors to collaborate with UK investigators. In May, members of Parliament expressed concerns regarding the police handling of these allegations. An all-party parliamentary group for the survivors told the BBC that victims have waited decades for investigations, leading to fears that Fayed's enablers may never face justice.
One survivor, identified only as Justine, worked at Harrods in the 1990s. She described a repetitive pattern of selection, grooming, manipulation, and coercion. According to Justine, Fayed would walk the shop floor accompanied by security teams to identify attractive women. Members of his staff would then invite these women to his offices. She stated that victims were subjected to intimidation, with security teams following them and issuing direct threats of harm or ruin to ensure their silence. Justine, a member of NOA, is now calling for further investigative action.
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