Mohamed Al-Fayed survivor 'tempers' expectations ahead of meeting with Starmer - as Harrods predator faces more than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct

Published: 00:52, 30 May 2026 | Updated: 00:53, 30 May 2026 An alleged victim of Mohamed Al-Fayed has 'tempered' her expectations ahead of a meeting with the Prime Minister - as the Harrods predator faces more than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct. Pelham Spong, who alleges the Egyptian businessman assaulted her, said she was grateful Sir Keir Starmer was 'finally delivering on a promise' to meet victims, but insists that campaigners want to see action. Retail tycoon Al-Fayed, who died aged 94 in 2023, has had more than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 1977 brought against him, spanning decades up to 2014. Earlier this month, a probe was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into five current and former Metropolitan Police officers for potential misconduct over their handling of Al-Fayed sex abuse claims. It follows the revelation that 21 women came forward to the police with claims about the Harrods boss - but he was never charged. Ms Spong, who is from South Carolina, said sex abuse survivors have always been the 'victims of the whims of politicians' and will 'temper' her expectations ahead of meeting the Prime Minister. She also said it was 'a shame' that Jess Phillips left the Government but claimed the departure might have helped 'spark' the meeting taking place. Ms Phillips served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls from July 2024 to May 2026. Billionaire businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed (pictured), who died in 2023, has had more than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 1977 brought against him An alleged victim of Al-Fayed, Pelham Spong said she was grateful the Prime Minister (pictured) was 'finally delivering on a promise' to meet victims She quit in protest of Sir Keir's leadership, and was replaced by Bolsover MP Natalie Fleet, who said in February she had asked Sir Keir to meet victims, which he agreed to. Ms Spong, who is from South Carolina, said: 'Survivors have always been the victims of the whims of politicians and the changes in politics, and I think the more that are invested in our cause, whether or not they're still in positions of power or coming into positions of power, is only going to be helpful. 'I think it's a shame that Jess Phillips left, but clearly that departure may have sparked this commitment to this meeting. 'We've been waiting a long time. We will be campaigning for justice after some of the politicians that are currently supporting us are no longer in office. 'This work will continue regardless of who is in Parliament or these different positions of power.' The meeting, Ms Spong said, will be led by Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain and Labour MP Dave Robertson, co-chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Survivors of Al Fayed. The Survivors Trust and Ms Fleet will also be present, and around 250 survivors are expected to join the meeting online. And despite being 'grateful' for the opportunity to meet Sir Keir, Ms Spong said all 'politicians talk the talk'. Harrods' Knightsbridge store. Egyptian tycoon Al Fayed had business interests including  the Hotel Ritz Paris and Fulham Football Club  She said: 'The last time he was in hot water, he made an apology to the Epstein victims. 'It's very easy to make a promise to look into something, and then do the opposite. 'Although we are very grateful for this opportunity, we understand that this is the first time something like this has ever happened, and I do believe that there is potential here that there could be a difference made. 'I want to temper my expectations with the fact that everybody has their own interests in standing with a group of survivors. 'We're just grateful that we're getting this opportunity.' Last year, Harrods was proposing potential six-figure payouts to settle claims from alleged sexual abuse victims of Al-Fayed if they underwent a psychiatric assessment.  MPL Legal, a law firm representing the luxury store, told potential claimants they could be offered between £110,000 and £200,000. According to a document seen by Sky News, those alleging sexual abuse by al Fayed - now deemed as one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders - could be owed 'general damages limited to compensation for sexual assault of up to £110,000', with 'aggravated damages [of] up to £15,000.' Al-Fayed is now widely regarded as one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders  In September 2024, a BBC documentary revealed the extent of Al-Fayed's abuse - triggering a Met Police investigation into 40 new allegations against him and others since the documentary aired.  Scotland Yard confirmed the new allegations related to 40 alleged victims and were in addition to claims police were aware of before the BBC's investigation and documentary. Prior to the media coverage, 21 allegations were made against Al-Fayed which resulted in crimes being recorded relating to 21 different women from the period 2005 to 2023. The Met has since widened its investigation to consider associates who may have assisted and facilitated the abuse - meaning criminal charges could still happen even though the direct perpetrators have died. Survivors group Justice for Harrods Survivors says it has 'credible evidence' to show the abuse allegedly perpetrated at Harrods and the billionaire's properties 'was not limited to Mr al Fayed himself'. Al-Fayed was described by lawyers representing the victims as a predator on the scale of Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein. Among his victims is the daughter of England footballer Paul Gascoigne, who in 2024 discussed the moment she was allegedly sexually assaulted by the billionaire.  Bianca Gascoigne, 37, said she was groomed and sexually assaulted by Al-Fayed when working as a teenager at Harrods. She said Al-Fayed would grope her and force her to kiss him during their weekly meetings, before turning up at her apartment. Whilst there, he allegedly sexually assaulted her when she was just 16. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.