Report: Billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed ‘raped and sexually abused’ several former Harrods employees – News

London's luxury department store Harrods has apologized for allegations that its former owner, Egyptian billionaire businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, raped and sexually abused several former female employees.

A BBC The documentary and podcast heard testimony from more than 20 former workers who said Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, sexually abused them in incidents that took place in London, Paris and St. Tropez.

One of the women who accused Al Fayed of raping her as a teenager described him as a “monster”: “He actively stoked fear.”

According to the BBC According to the documentary aired on Thursday, Harrods failed to intervene and helped cover up allegations of abuse during Al Fayed's ownership between 1985 and 2010. All women who BBC with whom they spoke said they felt intimidated at work.

“We are deeply appalled by the allegations of abuse of power by Mohamed Al Fayed,” Harrods said in a statement. “These were the actions of an individual who sought to abuse his power.”

“We also recognise that his victims were let down during this time and we sincerely apologise for that,” Harrods said, adding that the department store is now a “very different organisation” to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed.

Several media outlets have made allegations of sexual abuse against Al Fayed in the past, including Vanity Fair in 1995, ITV in 1997 and Channel 4 in 2017. Many of the women only felt able to speak publicly after his death last year.

Settlement of legal claims

“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 avoid lengthy legal proceedings for the women affected,” Harrods said.

The process remains available to all current and former Harrods employees.

In 2009, prosecutors decided not to press charges against Al Fayed, despite allegations that he sexually abused a 15-year-old girl in his shop, saying there was “no realistic prospect of a conviction.”

He voluntarily appeared for police questioning under reservations and has always denied the allegations.