More than 20 women have accused Mohamed Al Fayed of sexual misconduct while at Harrods.
- These allegations include serious charges of rape by the former Harrods boss.
- The claims were detailed in a BBC documentary and podcast, highlighting the abuse.
- Incidents reportedly took place in multiple cities including London and Paris.
- Harrods’ current management condemned the actions and apologised to victims.
More than 20 former female employees of Harrods have come forward, accusing the late Mohamed Al Fayed of rape and sexual assault. These women have shared experiences of being sexually assaulted by Al Fayed during his tenure as the owner of the prominent London department store. Five of the accusers have reported being raped by the billionaire.
In a particularly harrowing account, one former employee described Al Fayed as a “monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass,” characterising the atmosphere among workers at Harrods as one of fear and intimidation. This individual recounted being raped at Al Fayed’s apartment when she was a teenager and noted that employees felt compelled to obey his commands unquestioningly.
The allegations against Al Fayed have been further explored by a BBC documentary and podcast titled ‘Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods’. The documentary compiles testimonies from former staff members, with alleged incidents occurring in various locations including London, St Tropez, Abu Dhabi, and Paris.
Current Harrods management has expressed being “utterly appalled” by the historical abuse allegations against Al Fayed. They acknowledged the failure in protecting their employees, offering sincere apologies for the past failings. The company pointed out that new revelations came to light in 2023 concerning historical sexual abuse by Al Fayed, which prompted them to prioritise resolution of claims quickly to spare the victims prolonged legal ordeals.
Management at Harrods further emphasised their transformation as an organisation, separate from the period under Al Fayed’s ownership from 1985 to 2010. The current focus is on ensuring employee welfare and preventing any recurrence of such behaviour.
The allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed have prompted significant scrutiny and reflection on historical misconduct, with efforts underway to address and rectify past wrongs.
