Supporting Survivors and Pursuing Accountability

This week I joined BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Reporting Scotland to respond to deeply distressing allegations concerning the abuse of women linked to Mohamed Fayed and his brother Salah at Balnagown Estate in the Highlands.

At the centre of the reporting was a woman known as Jill, who described being trafficked to Scotland as a young Harrods employee, drugged and sexually assaulted by Salah Fayed. Her account was harrowing, particularly when she spoke about the lifelong impact of her experiences. One comment in particular stayed with me: "The girl I was when I was sent to that man is gone."

As a former police officer, including service in child protection and sexual offences, I understand the importance of listening to victims and taking allegations seriously. I was approached to become involved in establishing the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fayed Survivors as a result of this background.

Over the past year, I have worked alongside colleagues to support survivors in their pursuit of justice. Sadly, while the details are horrifying, they are not surprising. Mohamed Fayed and his brother did not act alone. There was a wider network of people who enabled the abuse, and every possible line of inquiry must be followed.

Although both men have since died, criminal investigations are continuing. Through the APPG, we have met with the Metropolitan Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and corresponded with Police Scotland. Following these latest allegations, I want us to meet with Police Scotland to discuss the investigations and how survivors can be supported. We are also considering what further parliamentary scrutiny may be appropriate.

These allegations also come at a time when public attention has focused on Russell Brand following his recent conviction and sentencing. While the cases are different, they raise important questions: how do powerful men get away with this behaviour for so long? Why are concerns ignored or dismissed? And how can we make it easier for women to come forward with confidence? We must look beyond the individuals responsible and challenge the wider cultures and systems that allow abuse to happen.

I have been struck throughout this work by the courage of survivors who have spoken out, often after many years. My priority in Parliament and through the APPG is to ensure their voices are heard, those responsible are held to account wherever possible, and lessons are learned to make women and girls safer in the future.