Several women accuse billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed of rape and sexual assault

Several former Harrods employees have accused Mohamed Al Fayed, the Egyptian billionaire who owned the luxury department store for more than 25 years, of rape and sexual assault.

More than 20 women have spoken to the BBC as part of a special investigation and made allegations of assault and physical violence in London and Paris.

Five women claimed they were raped by Mr Al Fayed, the broadcaster reported.

Al Fayed, who died in 2023, had previously been accused of sexually harassing and groping several women.

A police investigation in 2015 did not result in any charges.

The current owners of Harrods said they were “deeply appalled” by the abuse allegations against the late billionaire, adding: “As a company, we have let down our employees who were his victims and for that we sincerely apologise.”

In July 2023, Harrods began resolving disputes with women who had accused Al Fayed of sexual abuse.

Rachel (not her real name) told the BBC she was raped after staying overnight at one of Al Fayed's apartments following a late shift at work.

“I made it clear that I didn't want this. I didn't agree. I just wanted it to be over,” she said.

“I remember feeling his body on top of me, his weight. I just heard him making those noises. And my mind was just somewhere else.”

In a statement, Harrods said: “We are deeply appalled by the allegations of abuse made against Mohamed Al Fayed.

“These were the actions of an individual seeking to abuse his power wherever he operated, and we condemn them in the strongest possible terms.

“We also recognise that as a company we have failed our employees, who were its victims, during this time and for that we sincerely apologise.

“Harrods is a very different organisation today to the one that was owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010. Harrods is an organisation that seeks to put the wellbeing of our people at the heart of everything we do.

“That is why, since new information came to light in 2023 about historical allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, our priority has been to resolve the claims as quickly as possible and to spare the women affected from lengthy legal proceedings.

“This process remains available to all current and former Harrods employees.

“While we cannot undo the past, we are committed to doing the right thing as an organization, guided by the values ​​we hold today, while ensuring that such behavior cannot be repeated in the future.”