At least five women who were abused by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed have been formally recognised by the Home Office as victims of modern slavery. This follows Rachel Louw becoming the first woman known to receive such a decision in April.
The latest decisions include women trafficked internationally and within the UK, with one case found to have taken place entirely within Harrods. All four members of the survivor advocacy group No One Above are among those who have received positive "conclusive grounds" decisions through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK's official framework for identifying modern slavery victims.
One survivor was reportedly recruited to a false role within Harrods, while two others were employed in legitimate roles before being selected for abuse. Another worked as a domestic employee for the Fayed family after being recruited by a letting agency.
Legal experts have previously indicated that these decisions can strengthen witness credibility in criminal proceedings and may influence police investigations. The Metropolitan Police's Operation Cornpoppy is examining whether others facilitated or enabled Al Fayed's alleged crimes, and has broadened its investigation to include human trafficking. In March, four individuals were interviewed under caution over offences including human trafficking for sexual exploitation and facilitating rape. The Met has stated that 154 victims have come forward with allegations.
Mohamed Al Fayed, who owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010, died in 2023 aged 94 and never faced charges. His brother Salah, also accused of abuse by several women, died in 2010.