Matthew Wright tells of the bizarre encounter with Mohamed Al Fayed while almost 200 women…

21 September 2024, 10:48

Matthew Wright has revealed the bizarre time he met Mohamed Al Fayed, as around 190 women come forward with sexual harassment allegations against the late billionaire.

Matthew told listeners on his breakfast show at the weekend that Al Fayed had him driven to his office in a limousine because he knew his son Dodi.

There, the Harrods owner asked Matthew intrusive questions about his private life and pretended to offer him Viagra – which turned out to be just peppermints.

At least 187 women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Al Fayed. Al Fayed died last year and was described as a “monster” by his alleged victims on Friday.

At the press conference on Friday outlining the allegations against Al Fayed, it was said that there had been a “systematic failure of corporate responsibility” at Harrods.

Read more: More than 150 other women file sexual assault charges against Mohamed Al Fayed, says lawyer for “victims”

Read more: Fulham 'protected' players from Al Fayed, while ex-manager says sexual harassment allegations were 'no surprise'

After the allegations came to light, Matthew shared his own experiences: “Al Fayed knew that I knew his son Dodi, who died with Princess Diana in 1997. And I think it was my friendship with Dodi that one day summoned me to Harrods to meet the boss…”

“So a luxury limousine was sent to pick me up from my home. One was painfully, painfully aware of the wealth and power that surrounded one. I was escorted to his private office by a horde of security guards.

“And of course the private office is the place where God knows how many of these [alleged] There were sexual assaults. And I was invited to a short chat.

“And the chat went something like this: 'Hi Matthew. You can call me dad. How is your wife? Are you satisfying her? Have you taken Viagra?' And I said, 'My wife is fine. You would have to ask her if I'm satisfying her. No, no, I haven't taken Viagra.'

“'Do you want Viagra?'”

“I said, 'Well, no, no, no.'

“'Here, here, take the Viagra.' And with that he reached under his desk, pulled out a drawer and in there was a pill box, a porcelain pill box, which he handed to me and said, 'Open it when you get home with your wife.' And we talked a little about Dodi. And then I was sent away.

“And when I opened the box, there was nothing inside but harmless peppermint candies. And I didn't mention it to my wife.”

Mr Al Fayed had previously been accused of sexually harassing and groping several women, but a previous police investigation did not result in any charges.

Harrods had previously said it was “extremely appalled” by the allegations of abuse and had set up a page on its website encouraging former employees to come forward if they make allegations.

Meanwhile, extra precautions have been taken to protect Fulham's women's team, with a former manager saying Al Fayed owned the club for 16 years.

Dean Armstrong KC ‘expects’ more alleged victims to come forward against Al Fayed

A Fulham FC spokesman said in response: “We are deeply concerned and alarmed by the disturbing reports following yesterday's documentary. We offer our sincere condolences to the women who have shared their experiences.”

“We are in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club has been or is affected. Should anyone wish to share any information or experiences relating to these allegations, we encourage them to contact the club at [email protected] or the police.”