Survivor of Harrods human trafficking urges the government to launch a statutory public inquiry

A survivor of sexual abuse and human trafficking while working at Harrods is urging the government to hold a statutory public inquiry into the abuse carried out by Mohammed Al Fayed, and the role of others who facilitated the abuse or failed to take action against Al Fayed. This includes the Metropolitan Police and the doctors who conducted sexual health exams on Harrods workers and communicated the results to Al Fayed without their informed consent. 

The woman, who we will call Joan, believes that a statutory public inquiry is the only way in which all the information will come to light about how the abuse of those that worked at Harrods was able to continue for so many years. 

Joan also wants the inquiry to include a review of the oppressive legal strategies of Al Fayed and Harrods which resulted in the suppression and destruction of evidence of criminality and the failure to report the commission of serious crimes. Statutory public inquiries have powers under the Inquiries Act to compel disclosure and witnesses.

Joan said:

“Once again I would like to commend the bravery and courage shown by my fellow survivors in speaking out over the last few days. I note the admission by Harrods that it failed its employees and is setting up a scheme to compensate survivors. Although compensation is one important element of accountability, for decades it was money that enabled Al Fayed’s trafficking. Money alone cannot fix it.  

“The abuse suffered by those that worked at Harrods carried on for years and involved others including security and human resources personnel, medical professionals, and others. Mohammed Al Fayed died without being brought to account, but there still must be accountability and justice to help ensure that this cannot happen again.  It is crucial to understand how it was possible to establish a multi-decade trafficking operation at a trusted institution such as Harrods, and how it remained concealed for so long.

“I believe MP Jess Phillips told the Today programme last week that she would be led by what survivors might want to see in terms of investigations – well I am one of those survivors and I am asking for a statutory inquiry to be held. I hope that as Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls she will support my call and put this in motion as soon as possible.

“This needs to be handled by the right people in the right way to ensure systematic change for the long term, where survivors are put at the heart of the process and are given back the power.”

Joan has instructed law firm Leigh Day, alongside US firm Motley Rice, to investigate a legal claim on her behalf, including any potential action against the police and representing her in any future public inquiry.

She has chosen not to share the details of her abuse at this time, but her goal is accountability and ensuring that her experiences, and the experiences of all the other survivors, are a catalyst for change to protect others and embolden those who suffer abuse at the hands of the powerful to speak out.

Joan is also calling Harrods to establish a trauma-informed process to interact with survivors and urged Harrods to make good on its statement of regret and commitment to change by joining the call for a public inquiry. 

The public inquiry also should examine other enterprises and personnel within the Al Fayed network, including the Ritz Paris, Harrods Aviation, Harrods Holdings, and Turnbull & Asser, and Fulham FC.  

It has been reported that Fulham FC, which was owned by Al Fayed between 1997 and 2013, put in place extra precautions to protect female players from Al Fayed. Former manager at the club Gaute Haugenes told the BBC that players were not allowed to be left alone with Al Fayed.

Emma Jones, lawyer specialising in public inquiries and who has worked on the Infected Blood Inquiry and the COVID Inquiry, said:

“Our client’s objectives are very clear: make sure that the years of abuse suffered by her and others working at Harrods is not quickly forgotten; make sure that what happened is properly and thoroughly examined, in a transparent and fair process; make sure that anyone who is still working in positions where they could still be facilitating abuse are held to account  and that measures are put in place to make this much more difficult in future. We believe a statutory public inquiry is the only way our client can achieve these goals. We stand by her in pushing for an inquiry.

“We have seen time and time again the kind of open secret surrounding predators such as Al Fayed where it seems many people in positions of authority have knowledge or strong inclinations about unacceptable behaviour but rather than blowing the whistle publicly, they put in measures behind closed doors. And while any protection measures are welcome, it is only when things are brought to light publicly and investigated properly by the authorities that real change can be made and preparators held responsible.”

Richard Meeran, joint head of Leigh Day’s international department, added:

“It is clear from what Joan and other women who have contacted us have said that while compensation is important, a full investigation is the priority. To have effective accountability, and for the protection of women in the future, it is critical that systems of operation and the role of individuals that facilitated and ignored the sex trafficking at Harrods and which failed to take action, should be properly investigated.

“The details that have been brought to light about the abuse suffered by those working at Harrods amounts to the store being used as a hub for the sex trafficking of women who worked there. It is important to be clear about that. And what we know from our work in trafficking cases over the years is that this is not something that can be done by just one person, it relies on the participation or silence of a great web of people.”

Human Rights barrister Phillippa Kaufmann KC of Matrix Chambers, who acted for the victims of serial rapist John Worboys, has been retained by the legal team.

Survivors in the UK and other countries who suffered abuse or believe they have information can confidentially contact Leigh Day. Survivors in the US are encouraged to confidentially contact American law firm Motley Rice. 

In the UK: email Richard Meeran at rmeeran@leighday.co.uk or call India Macleod on 020 7650 1369 or Georgia Rycroft on 020 7650 1153 
 
In the US: call 1-866-779-2607 or visit: www.motleyrice.com/human-rights/trafficking-litigation/harrods-contact 

About Emma Jones

Emma is a partner and specialises in human rights claims against treatment and care individuals receive in hospitals, schools and in social care settings, false imprisonment and assault claims, actions against the police and public law challenges. She worked on the group claim against Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust arguing breaches of patients’ human rights and negligence in respect of their treatment and care. She represents over 260 core participants in the Infected Blood Inquiry and is also representing people in the ongoing COVID Inquiry and the Lampard Inquiry into mental health services in Essex. More about Emma here.

About Richard Meeran

Richard Meeran is joint head of the firm’s international and group litigation department which regularly brings cases against UK-based multinationals and has past and present cases against Shell, Dyson, Tesco, Anglo American, British American Tobacco and Unilever. Richard has been a partner at the firm since 1991. His work over the past 30 years, which has included human trafficking, has been instrumental in developing English law on the liability of multinational corporations for human rights abuses, particularly for the exploitation of workers. More about Richard here.

About Phillippa Kaufmann KC

Phillippa has extensive experience in complex private law claims brought against public authorities including central government departments such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence, Home Office, FCO as well as other public authorities such as the police. She acted for the victims of John Worboys in two ground-breaking legal claims. More about Phillippa Kaufmann KC here.

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