Harrods ex-owner Mohamed Al Fayed charged with decades of abuse: lawyers

More than 20 women have accused the late Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed of sexually abusing female employees of his London luxury department store Harrods.

The allegations include sexual assault, rape and coercion over a period of 25 years while Al Fayed owned the store from 1985 to 2010, lawyers for the alleged victims said on Friday.

The BBC recently broadcast a documentary in which these women recounted their experiences, after which Harrods issued a public apology.

“Beneath the glitz and glamour of Harrods lay a toxic, unsafe and abusive environment,” lawyer Gloria Allred said at a press conference.

According to the allegations, Al Fayed not only sexually abused female employees but also subjected them to medical examinations, including cervical exams, under the pretext of ensuring their “cleanliness”.

Anyone who resisted or reported the abuse was threatened with dire consequences. A former employee, Natacha, described Al Fayed as a “monster” who evaded responsibility during his lifetime.

Al Fayed, who died in 2023 at the age of 94, denied the allegations throughout his life. However, his death has encouraged several victims to go public with their stories.

In response to the allegations, Harrods issued a statement expressing its shock and dismay.

“These were the actions of an individual seeking to abuse his power,” the statement said, adding that the business is now a “very different organization.”

The company also acknowledged that victims had been let down during Al Fayed's tenure and expressed its sincerest apology.

Lawyers for the alleged victims plan to file a civil suit against Harrods, arguing that the department store as a company is responsible for enabling Al Fayed's abusive behavior.

“Harrods was aware of Al Fayed's actions long before 2023 and should have acknowledged them earlier,” said lawyer Dean Armstrong. He also confirmed that the number of claimants, currently 37, is expected to rise.

This is not the first time allegations have emerged against Al Fayed.

Reports of his abusive behaviour date back to 1995, when Vanity Fair uncovered allegations of sexual misconduct. Other media outlets, such as ITV in 1997 and Channel 4 in 2017, have also documented allegations against him. However, many victims did not feel able to speak out until after his death.

In 2009, British prosecutors declined to bring charges against Al Fayed on charges of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl, saying there was insufficient evidence to convict.

Nevertheless, recent revelations have reignited calls for justice.

Armstrong stressed the importance of holding institutions accountable that enable such behavior. “Meaningful accountability means giving victims a voice,” he explained.

The lawyers plan to seek compensation for the victims and seek justice against Harrods through a civil lawsuit.

Al Fayed, who made his fortune in real estate and shipping, was also known for his decades-long attempts to prove that his son Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana were murdered in their 1997 car crash in Paris.

These allegations were later refuted by official investigations.

Harrods, which is now owned by the Qatari royal family, has promised to help any current and former employees seeking compensation for the abuse they suffered during Al Fayed's ownership.