The UK Home Office has formally recognised five survivors of alleged sexual abuse by billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed as victims of modern slavery, including human trafficking, following conclusive grounds decisions through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
The decisions confirm that the survivors experienced both international and domestic trafficking, with one case involving trafficking entirely within Harrods. The Home Office’s confirmation follows referrals by the anti-slavery charity Unseen UK and includes all four members of the survivor advocacy group No One Above.
Key developments
- The Home Office confirmed the five survivors as victims of modern slavery under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which defines trafficking as facilitating travel for exploitation.
- The decisions were issued between April 2026 and subsequent months, with the first public confirmation reported by the BBC on April 29, 2026.
- All five survivors received conclusive grounds decisions, the final stage of the NRM process, which formally recognises them as victims.
Details of the cases
The survivors’ experiences span multiple decades, with the earliest cases dating to the 1990s and the most recent occurring after Harrods was sold in 2010. Their accounts include:
- A survivor recruited to a false role within Harrods.
- Two survivors hired for legitimate positions before being selected for abuse off the shop floor.
- A fourth survivor employed as a domestic worker for a member of the Fayed family after being recruited via a letting agency called Hyde Park Residence.
- One case involved trafficking within the Harrods building itself.
Legal and institutional context
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the UK’s official framework for identifying victims of modern slavery, including human trafficking, forced labour, and servitude. A positive conclusive grounds decision means the Home Office’s Single Competent Authority (SCA) has determined the individual meets the definition of a modern slavery victim.
Legal experts have stated that these decisions can strengthen the credibility of witnesses in criminal proceedings and may influence police investigations. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 defines trafficking as arranging or facilitating travel—domestically or internationally—for the purpose of exploitation.
Survivor advocacy and ongoing process
The five survivors are part of a broader group of over 400 individuals who have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Al-Fayed, dating from 1977 to 2014. These allegations include sexual assault, rape, and sexual exploitation. The survivors’ recognition as trafficking victims has been described as “very significant” by one affected individual, who noted the importance of formal acknowledgment.
The advocacy group No One Above, which includes four of the confirmed victims, has stated that the decisions suggest a “wider network of perpetrators” may be involved. The group’s members had been awaiting rulings after being referred to the NRM by Unseen UK.
Background on Mohamed Al-Fayed
Mohamed Al-Fayed, who died in 2023, was the owner of Harrods, the Hotel Ritz Paris, and Fulham Football Club. His business empire spanned multiple countries, and his high-profile status has drawn significant attention to the allegations against him.
The Home Office’s confirmation of trafficking victim status does not constitute a criminal conviction but provides formal recognition of the survivors’ experiences under UK law.