A woman who alleged she was a victim of Mohammed Al Fayed claimed that Devon & Cornwall police mistakenly forwarded her personal details to an individual in Australia. Joanna Brittan, hailing from Devon, asserted that she was trafficked by the former Harrods owner and sexually assaulted by his business associate. Despite providing a statement to the police in 2017 outlining her ordeal involving Al Fayed and the other individual, Brittan discovered that her account, including sensitive information like her date of birth, address, and contact number, was inadvertently sent to someone in Australia who also claimed to be a victim of the same perpetrator.
Following this data mishap, Brittan criticized the Metropolitan Police, labeling their actions as “shambolic, incompetent, and complicit.” She expressed disappointment with the handling of her case after requesting the return of her original statement, which was necessary for her legal team. The breach, attributed to human error, was promptly reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office, and Brittan was offered a one-time payment by the police.
Initially lodged in 2017, Brittan’s statement evolved into a rape accusation against Al Fayed’s associate, Ahmed Obaidly, a former UAE diplomat. In 2020, Brittan participated in a video interview with the authorities, providing additional details. However, she was later informed that the rape investigation could not proceed as Obaidly had passed away in 2015.
Jasvinder Sanghera, an Independent Survivor Advocate linked to Harrods, condemned the discontinuation of the investigation as “appalling.” Sanghera expressed concerns about the processes in place for survivors and the overall efficacy of current operations.
The Metropolitan Police emphasized their ongoing investigation into individuals possibly complicit in Al Fayed’s offenses. They highlighted advancements in their investigative procedures, particularly in handling cases of rape and sexual offenses, with a renewed focus on supporting victim-survivors and holding offenders accountable.
Encouraging all affected individuals to come forward, the Met reiterated their commitment to supporting victims. They assured the public that updates on the case would be provided when appropriate, without compromising any legal proceedings.
Amidst these developments, Brittan’s status as a potential victim of modern slavery has been flagged for review by the National Referral Mechanism. Expressing relief, Brittan shared her optimism about shedding the burden of shame unjustly placed on her.
Brittan is just one of nearly 200 potential victims associated with Al Fayed. These individuals are scheduled to virtually meet with Sir Keir Starmer for discussions. Meanwhile, ongoing investigations are scrutinizing a serving Met Police detective and four former officers over their handling of allegations against Al Fayed, raising concerns about potential misconduct in managing reports from victims.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, overseen by the IOPC, confirmed a probe into the officers’ conduct in January 2025. Despite Al Fayed’s passing in 2023 without facing charges, inquiries into the matter continue. The Mirror has sought comments from the Metropolitan Police regarding these developments.