Crime & justice

American Woman Speaks in France Al-Fayed Sex Trafficking Probe

Are European justice systems finally delivering for Al Fayed survivors or still failing them at every turn?

Published 2 hours ago

American Woman Speaks in France Al-Fayed Sex Trafficking Probe

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Above: Mohamed Al Fayed arrives at court in London for a hearing on Princess Diana's death on July 27, 2007. Image credit: Shaun Curry/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

These investigations are a positive turning point in the Al-Fayed case. While French authorities give victims a public stage to explain who and what was behind this trafficking ring, the U.K. has gone even further in officially acknowledging Al-Fayed's crimes as trafficking, not just assault. The Met has also broadened its investigation to include human trafficking and interviewed four people under caution, showing the system is finally moving.

France 24 BBC News

Government-critical narrative

The British government dragged its feet for years while hundreds of Al-Fayed survivors got nothing but closed doors and generic letters. The Met referred zero victims to the National Referral Mechanism — survivors had to travel to a charity in Bristol to do what police were legally required to do. Keir Starmer still hasn't answered a formal statutory inquiry request, and that silence is a choice, not an oversight.

Yorkshire Bylines Sussex Bylines

Limited Coverage

This story currently has limited coverage. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our reporting as additional information becomes available.