Al Fayed abuse should be investigated as human trafficking, says former senior Met officer

A former senior Metropolitan Police officer has urged investigators to widen their probe into allegations of rape and sexual abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed to include human trafficking. Lawyers representing at least 15 women say the Met’s Operation Cornpoppy, which examines whether individuals helped facilitate Al Fayed’s alleged abuse, is too limited and may prevent those who enabled the crimes from being held accountable.

Phil Brewer, former head of the Met’s anti-trafficking unit, said he could not understand why the case was not already being investigated as trafficking. Victims claim they were transported and controlled for the purpose of abuse, which could fall under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act.

One woman told the BBC she was trafficked to France to be abused by Al Fayed’s brother, alleging her passport was taken and she was flown by private jet to a fake job.

Another alleged victim says French authorities are investigating the case as aggravated human trafficking involving multiple victims and believes UK police should take a similar approach. The Met has previously said more than 140 people have come forward with allegations linked to Al Fayed.

via BBC