Harrods Faces Legal Turmoil Over Mohamed Al Fayed Abuse Allegations

Over 20 women have accused Mohamed Al Fayed, the late Egyptian billionaire, of sexual assault, according to a BBC investigation. Al Fayed, who owned Harrods for over 25 years, is alleged to have committed numerous offences at properties in London and Paris.

Five women have specifically accused Al Fayed of rape, as reported by the BBC. These accounts reflect incidents of both sexual assault and physical violence. Al Fayed, who passed away in 2023, was previously accused of sexually assaulting multiple women, though a police investigation in 2015 resulted in no charges.

Harrods’ current management has expressed deep regret towards these allegations. The management stated they are “utterly appalled” by the actions attributed to Al Fayed and acknowledged the company’s failure to protect its employees. “As a business, we failed our employees who were his victims, and for this, we sincerely apologise,” the company said in a statement.

In response to the newly surfaced allegations, Harrods began settling claims in July 2023 with women who reported sexual abuse by Al Fayed. These settlements aim to avoid protracted legal battles for the affected women. “The Harrods of today is a very different organization,” the statement emphasized, focusing on employee welfare and maintaining strong ethical standards.

Rachel, among the pseudonymously named accusers, recounted being raped in one of Al Fayed’s apartments after a late work shift. She expressed her trauma vividly, describing the encounter and her objection to the assault. “I made it obvious that I didn’t want that to happen,” she said.

The BBC documentary “Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods” delves into the claims made by over 20 women regarding Al Fayed’s misconduct, covering incidents across London, Paris, St Tropez, and Abu Dhabi. The program argues that Harrods may have failed to address or possibly concealed these accusations when they arose.

Bruce Drummond, a barrister representing several alleged victims, commented on the atmosphere at Harrods during Al Fayed’s tenure, stating, “The spider’s web of corruption and abuse in this company was unbelievable and very dark.” Harrods, now under different management, has prioritized resolving these historical claims efficiently, emphasizing their commitment to preventing such behavior in the future.