a turkish man suspected of being a major supplier of boats across the english channel is arrested in amsterdam. dealing drugs and asking inmates for sex — why a record number of prison staff have been sacked for misconduct. we have a special report. and scientists to discover the single largest piece of coral in the southwest pacific ocean. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. the bbc can revealfor the first time serious allegations of abuse against salah fayed, the younger brother of mohamed al fayed. three former harrods employees allege that salah fayed abused them between 1989—1997. one woman, who has waived her right to anonymity, told the bbc she believes she was raped by salah after she was drugged. salah, who died in 2010, was one of three fayed brothers who bought harrods in 1985.

the luxury department store is now under new ownership. these new allegations come after a bbc investigation in september exposed decades of serious sexual abuse allegations against mohamed al fayed. the metropolitan police have said they now have had over 80 complaints against him. helena wilkinson reports. awarning, a warning, some of you might find the details of this report distressing. right behind you... 1989, and salah fayed helping launch a book by the former first lady nancy reagan with his brother, mohamed al fayed. helen is one of three women who have, for the first time, spoken about shocking abuse at the hands of salah fayed. in the same year as this event, helen says she was abused by both mohamed al fayed and by his brother salah. in february 1989, helen went on a business trip with mohamed al fayed and was told to stay in the same hotel suite as him.

i was taking off my makeup in front of the mirror, and in the mirror saw fayed walking in, walked into my bathroom. and no knocking, no saying anything. i mean, it's like... it was like out of a horror film. it was, like, so frightening. he decided he was going to take me into his room. you know, he was pulling me all the way up the corridor, and i was saying, "no, no, let me go." and ijust hadn't got the... i knew i couldn't stop him. so, yeah, he raped me that night. months later, she was sent by mohamed al fayed to do some personal assistant work for his brother salah, here on the left. helen saw it as a way to escape. i'd met salah. he seemed really nice and friendly, and he didn't seem in the slightest bit like his brother, a totally different character. you know, that's how i felt.

but on completing the two—day task, helen says she was drugged by salah and believes she was then raped by him while unconscious. i woke up the next morning in a completely different room, lying on a settee, and he was sitting at my feet. i remember saying, "i want to leave...i want to leave now." and i went to sit up, and i noticed that my jeans button was undone. helen recalls feeling a sensation in her body and then discovering semen. i knew then what what had happened, or in my head i knew because you just know, don't you? this is the letter that mr fayed gave me that he was... earlier that year, two months after helen says mohamed raped her, she was told to sign

a harrods non—disclosure agreement. she says it's partly because of that that she's felt unable to speak out for 35 years. the bbc has also spoken to two other former harrods employees, who don't want to be identified, and who say they experienced a range of abuse by both salah and mohamed, including trafficking and sexual assault. for helen, what was meant to be a dream job has left her with lifelong trauma. it's affected my life, it really has. i know it's affected my life badly, all of these things i've talked about. and we need to speak up to stop it happening to other people.

let me go live to helena. she is outside harrods department store in central london, and these are shocking new allegations hurt for the first time. just tell us more yes, shocking and new allegations made against salah fayed, then her brother of mohamed al fayed. her brother of mohamed al fa ed. �* �* , ., ., , fayed. the bbc investigations team has heard _ fayed. the bbc investigations team has heard in _ fayed. the bbc investigations team has heard in my- fayed. the bbc investigations team has heard in my reports| team has heard in my reports look into three women independently who made allegations against salah fayed, including abuse, trafficking and also drugging. and this is the first time we been able to reveal these allegations against the younger brother of mohamed al fayed, and you heard in that report their helen, one of the three women that abc has spoken to, it's taken her 35 years to be able to come to this point where she is able to speak about the ordeal that she says she was put through at the

hands of salah fayed. so new shocking allegations this afternoon against the younger brother of mohamed al fayed, salah fayed, after the bbc has spoken to three women who have given their accounts, saying that salah fayed traffic, including incidents of trafficking, drugging and also assault as well.— trafficking, drugging and also assault as well. and, helena, has harrods _ assault as well. and, helena, has harrods responded? - assault as well. and, helena, has harrods responded? yes, assault as well. and, helena, . has harrods responded? yes, we have had a _ has harrods responded? yes, we have had a response _ has harrods responded? yes, we have had a response from - have had a response from harrods in response to this latest bbc news investigation. let me just read you what their statement says to us. it says that harrods supports the bravery of these women in coming forward. their statement goes on to say these new claims point to the breadth of abuse by mohamed al fayed and also raise serious allegations against his brother, salah fayed. the harrods statement

goes on, we encourage the survivors to come forward and make their claims to the harrods scheme, with a can apply for compensation as well as support from the counselling perspective and through an independent survivors advocate. the harrods statement goes on to say we also hope that they come of the survivors, or looking at every appropriate avenue to them in their pursuit ofjustice, whether that be harrods, the police or the fayed family in a state. that is the statement from harrods we have received in response to that new bbc news investigation into salah fayed, allegations as i say including trafficking, drugging in abuse made by three women who bbc has spoken to independently.— independently. helena, thanks very much _ independently. helena, thanks very much for— independently. helena, thanks very much for that _ independently. helena, thanks very much for that because - independently. helena, thanks very much for that because if. very much for that because if you have been affected by any aspect of this story, you can

get in contact with bbc action line and the details are there on the screen. let's turn to the us. the republican party has retained its majority in the us house of representatives, giving donald trump a clean sweep of both chambers of congress, but there's been controversy over some of mr trump's choices for his new cabinet. matt gaetz is the president—elect�*s choice for attorney general. he's been facing accusations of sexual misconduct and drug use. a report on that was due to be published in the next two days. in the last hour, the republican senatorjohn cornyn has said he wants to see the investigation�*s findings before mr gaetz�*s nomination is considered. tulsi gabbard has been put forward as the administration's new intelligence chief. she's been accused of peddling pro—putin propaganda. let's speak to our correspondentjessica parker at mr trump's base at mar—a—lago.

and matt gaetz, that pic is getting a huge amount of coverage and attention from lawmakers and even republican lawmakers and even republican lawmakers stunned by that name. yeah, it is one of the names i think that because dos particularly to drop. there is now a lot of focus, as he remained shooting, on this ethics report, so —— as you mentioned. matt gaetz was facing a house inquiry into alleged sexual misconduct and financial misconduct. he denied wrongdoing and then he has gone on and quit the house of representatives as part of the process of try to think of the role of attorney general, the us�*s top prosecutor. that's what donald trump is picked them out for but there is but a call from senior democratic senator from the ethics committee to release that report on matt gaetz, so it could potentially... we don't know what's in it but it could inform senators decisions on

whether or not they want to confirm matt gaetz into the position of attorney general. of course donald trump has talked about using a process known as recess appointments to get some of his picks true and that would essentially fast—track things and sleep less scrutiny over his appointments. not clear whether that's going to happen and a bit of a breaking news, the president—elect donald trump has been talking to the new york post about his meeting with joe york post about his meeting withjoe biden in the white house yesterday. he says they both really enjoyed seeing each other and that he wanted to note mr biden�*s views on where we are and what he thinks and he gave them to me. he was very gracious so itself in a rather cordial meeting when the two men yesterday although of course they both said rather unkind things about each other in the past. unkind things about each other in the past-— in the past. jess, thanks very much. i spoke earlier tojoe walsh, the former republican presidential candidate and congressman. i asked him if that report looking at the accusations of alleged sexual misconduct and drug use by matt gaetz might still be published in the next few days.

i think it will, and i have no doubt that this was part of trump's calculation, was to appoint him now before that report comes out. but, look, this is this is the deal. donald trump committed crimes trying to overthrow an american election. the justice department indicted him for those crimes. he hasn't been put on trial yet. he should've been put on trial.

war on ourjustice department, our top law enforcement agency in the country. the attorney general is supposed to be an independent person whose duty is to the constitution and the law. what trump did here was he picked somebody, matt gaetz, who will be his personal lawyer. that's frightening.

that is an incredible thing to say, in terms of donald trump, he seems to somehow want to short circuit the senate oversight in terms of some of these or all of the appointments, do you think he will find a way of doing it? right now donald trump owns the republican party, his election eight days ago, pretty much made every republican now bow at his feet, so he will, and what we know, because trump promised to do this, again, america didn't want uk into this blind. donald trump told us he was going to be an authoritarian, he told us he wanted to turn the presidency, the american presidency into a dictatorship. so he is going to do his best to weaken the other

branches of government, and he is going to do his best to strengthen the power of the presidency, and he has a republican party now, in the palm of his hand. we saw summary action on capitol hill when the names began to emerge, some republican law maker, their response when they were told, that they spoke profanity, i won't repeat them but do you think we will see a repeat of the indictment days, a lot of hand wringing behind the scenes but when it came to action in public, and standing up to donald trump, it never happened. donald trump, it never happened-— donald trump, it never happened. donald trump, it never hauened. �* . , , happened. amen, that is exactly what ou happened. amen, that is exactly what you will _ happened. amen, that is exactly what you will see, _ happened. amen, that is exactly what you will see, that _ happened. amen, that is exactly what you will see, that has - what you will see, that has been the tale of the tape this past nine year, every single republican privately acknowledging what trump is, and privately saying donald trump needs to be stopped, but publicly, they bow to him. this

will continue, i can't say this enough, many, many republicans in congress wanted donald trump to lose eight days ago, they really did, they wanted him gone, but now that he won, the party is his, he has been validated and remember, he told us who he was going to be, and this country still elected him, so he is unchained right now, again, we should be scared but the world should be scared. aha, the world should be scared. a final question, do you anticipatejust about final question, do you anticipate just about all of the names actually going through and becoming his new cabinet or do you see a world and jess was hinting at it perhaps matt gaetz becomes a lightning rod, perhaps he won't be installed but all of the others are?— be installed but all of the others are? here is what i know. others are? here is what i know matt _ others are? here is what i know. matt gaetz, - others are? here is what i know. matt gaetz, all- others are? here is what i know. matt gaetz, all of. others are? here is what i - know. matt gaetz, all of them, if they get to a vote in the senate, the senate will approve all of them. all of them. no, i

can't imagine republicans voting against any of them. i think the hope is that with gates or gabbard or a couple others, it won't even get to the vote. meaning more and more stuff will come out these next few weeks, to the point where gates or gabbard has to step down. that's where their opponents are going to fight. but if it gets to a vote, republicans will be in lockstep. that was joe wass talking to that wasjoe wass talking to me a little earlier on the programme. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

you are watching bbc news. now, a turkish man has been arrested in the netherlands on suspicion of supplying significant quantities of small boats and equipment to people—smugglers. the 44—year—old was detained at schipol airport on wednesday following an international operation.

britain's national crime agency said he's suspected of importing engines and boats from turkey and storing them in germany, before they're brought to northern france when needed. our correpondent anna holligan has more. this arrest is as a result of combined action by belgian and uk authorities working as part of a joint investigation team set up by eurojust here in the hague. the man who was arrested, a 44—year—old turkish national, he was detained at schipol airport in amsterdam, and he is suspected of moving small inflatable boats and engines from turkey to germany, where they were stored in warehouses before being transported down to the beaches of northern france. where they were used to take people illegally across the english channel to the uk.

we have heard from the british prime minister, sir keir starmer. he said this was a significant piece of the jigsaw, but he was not pretending it was the silver bullet. earlier this month, you may remember, he announced an extra £75 million to police the uk's borders, and he said that people—smugglers would be treated like terrorists under the law. we've also heard from the national crime agency director, who said the man is thought to be a major supplier of highly dangerous boats. these boats are not designed for the open waters, and more than 50 people have already died this year, in 2024, trying to make that treacherous voyage. approximately 32,000 people have been transported across the english channel in these inflatable boats by people—smugglers so far this year,

higher than in 2023 that number. the director—general for the national crime agency, robjones, has also said this arrest is a milestone in one of the agency's most significant investigations into organised immigration crime ever. the suspect, this 44—year—old turkish national, will be extradited to belgium where he will face those people—smuggling charges. here, the prison officers' association has warned there is a "very real" threat of corruption in britishjails after the number of officers sacked for misconduct rose by more than a third. there have been several high—profile cases which have seen prison officers convicted of having sexual relationships with inmates or selling them drugs and phones. our senior uk correspondent sima kotecha has the story. last year, beatrice was convicted of money laundering and served 1a months in prison before being released in september. she says while inside hmp bronzefield in surrey, a prison officer made passes

at her and other inmates. he commented on my appearance a lot. he suggested he wanted to come into my cell. what did he want you to do? ifeel if i had been up for it, he would have wanted sexual favours. yeah. and i spoke to several other women since then that have all experienced the same thing from the same guy. comments about the size of their breasts. i was aware with one girl that he told her to hold out her hands, and she closed her eyes and went in for a kiss. i just... it just. .. sorry. it upsets me because there's a lot of vulnerable women in there.

bronzefield is a private prison run by sodexo. it said it can't comment about individual cases, but that it will undertake all appropriate investigations and take necessary actions as needed. we managed to speak to a serving prison officer in one of england's largest jails. they said beatrice's story isn't surprising. there's a power dynamic, and prison officers feel like they can do what they want, like asking for sex. they can make life difficult for those inside, and they know that. and then there are those staff selling phones and drugs, a lucrative business behind bars. they know better than anyone how to get drugs and phones in, because they know the checks you've got to go through. it's easy money—making, and it's got worse. i've just come off the phone from speaking to a former prison governor who used to be in charge of an anti—corruption unit in prisons, and he says that the drug trade inside is worth up to £1 billion per year, with prison officers playing a significant part in making it happen. lee used to be

a prison officer. he was caught delivering cannabis, steroids and phones to inmates and served two years injail. you were a corrupt prison officer. foolishly, yes, iwas. i let a lot of people down, i and it did take its toll on me. it weighed heavy. how much money were you making? in simple terms, for a package into prison, you'd be _ looking at around - {400—500 per package. that's what you were making per package? yes. the snowball effect- of when i agreed to bring in the package the first time, | it then became two and three. and after package four, it was . purely, purely about the money. there's got to be a bigger scope. i you've got to up the ante - by searching officers going in. i was searched twice in three years, and that isn't good. . you know, we need to stop it at the gates. . the ministry ofjustice said the majority ofjail staff are hardworking and honest

and they're catching the small minority who break the rules. it said it's bolstered its corruption unit and is strengthening its vetting. the way things are in prisons at the moment is not going to make people better. it's making people worse, if anything, and it's a hopeless place. sima kotecha, bbc news. the largest coral has been discovered by scientists on a research trip in the south—west pacific ocean, close to the solomon islands. they believe it was maybe 300 years old. they considered it a cathedral under the water. this year it was revealed that as orson since warm, many bits of coral are suffering from the possibility of extinction. this was meant was that in deeper waters and some coral reefs and may have been protected from the higher temperatures closer to the surface. 1