Mohamed Al Fayed, who owned luxury department store Harrods for over 25 years, has been accused of rape and assault by multiple former employees.
Over 20 women have come forward as part of a special investigation with the BBC, and five of the alleged victims have claimed they were raped by Mr Al Fayed.
The late billionaire, who died in 2023 at the age of 94, was the father of Dodi Fayed, the late boyfriend of Princess Diana – who died alongside her in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Mohamed Al Fayed, late Harrods boss, accused by multiple female staff of rape and sexual assault – BBC hears from alleged victimshttps://t.co/R6dYvKb9wo
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2024
Mr Al Fayed had previously been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women, however a 2015 police investigation did not lead to any charges against him.
Last year, Harrods began settling claims with women who came forward with allegations of abuse against the store’s former owner.
In response to the latest allegations, Harrods’ current owners said they are “utterly appalled” by the claims, and said: “As a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.”
In a statement, Harrods said: “We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed.”
“These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated and we condemn them in the strongest terms.
“We also acknowledge that during this time as a business we failed our employees who were his victims, and for this we sincerely apologise.
“The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010, it is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.”
“This is why, since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved.
“This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees.
“While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.”
