Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
A woman who claims she was trafficked to Mohamed Al Fayed and sexually abused by one of his associates has expressed outrage after the Metropolitan Police mistakenly sent her personal information to the wrong recipient. Joanna Brittan provided a statement to Devon & Cornwall police in 2017, describing how she was trafficked to the former Harrods owner and sexually assaulted by an associate linked to him. This statement was subsequently passed to the Metropolitan Police.
Brittan later found out that handwritten notes from her statement, along with her address, phone number, and date of birth, had been incorrectly sent to another alleged victim living in Australia. The BBC understands that this data breach was the result of human error, and it has been reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Brittan was offered a one-time payment in response to the incident.
The Metropolitan Police initiated an investigation into abuse allegations against Al Fayed in November 2024, even though 21 women had come forward before his death in 2023. Al Fayed died without facing charges. After giving up her lifelong right to anonymity, Brittan, who is from Devon, described the Metropolitan Police as “shambolic, incompetent and complicit.” The data breach occurred when she requested the return of her original statement following a request from her legal team.
Last month, Brittan was informed by the Home Office that there were reasonable grounds to believe she was a victim of modern slavery and trafficking, and that her case would be further investigated. Jasvinder Sanghera, the Independent Survivor Advocate appointed by Harrods who has supported Brittan, called the police’s mishandling of her details “absolutely appalling” and questioned the efficacy of current survivor support processes.
The BBC further understands that Brittan made a rape allegation against Ahmed Obaidly, a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates connected to Al Fayed, and provided additional information in a video interview in 2020. Obaidly died in 2015, making it impossible for that investigation to proceed. Criminal allegations involving Al Fayed form part of Operation Cornpoppy, an ongoing inquiry focused on individuals who may have enabled or facilitated abuse by the former Harrods owner.
Brittan is among over 200 alleged survivors of Al Fayed preparing to meet virtually with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Lucy Duckworth, policy lead at The Survivors Trust and chair of the meeting, described it as a pivotal moment and urged reflection on the systemic failures that allowed abuse on such a scale to continue. Meanwhile, a current Metropolitan Police officer and four former officers face investigation for potential misconduct in the handling of the sexual abuse allegations against Al Fayed. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has yet to decide if disciplinary action is warranted.
The Metropolitan Police stated that they have “transformed the way we investigate rape and sexual offences” and continue to support victims. They have encouraged anyone with relevant information—whether directly affected or aware of others involved—to come forward
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.