Allegations of Systematic Abuse Surface Against Late Harrods Owner Mohamed Al Fayed
Dozens of women from around the world have come forward with accusations against the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, detailing instances of sexual assault that echo allegations against notorious figures like Harvey Weinstein. As of September 20, at least 37 women from countries including Australia, Malaysia, Italy, Romania, the United States, and Canada have alleged abuse by the Egyptian billionaire, who passed away last year at the age of 94. Among the accusers is a 16-year-old girl who claims to have been assaulted.
The publicity surrounding a BBC investigation into these allegations is anticipated to lead to even more women reaching out to legal representatives, including five who have reported instances of rape. Lawyers representing the victims have indicated that these acts of abuse spanned over 25 years within an environment they claim was complicit in providing an unsafe work atmosphere.
The current owners of Harrods, who purchased the iconic London department store from Al Fayed in 2010, expressed their shock and condemnation of the allegations. However, lawyer Dean Armstrong criticized the previous management for an "abject failure of corporate responsibility".
Claims made against Al Fayed include sexual assaults, rapes, and attempted rapes of young women, many of whom were employed as his secretaries and assistants. The alleged incidents took place in various locations, from his apartments in London to his properties in Paris, including the Ritz Hotel, which he also owned.
Armstrong described Fayed as a monster who was enabled by the system, emphasizing that the evidence suggests an entrenched pattern of abuse. One survivor, who provided the pseudonym Natacha, recounted being a 19-year-old employee subjected to invasive medical examinations—including tests for sexually transmitted diseases—without her consent, which she believes were checks of her "purity".
Natacha described Fayed as a "highly manipulative employer" who engaged in forced kisses and instances of sexual assault. Women who attempted to voice their grievances reportedly faced threats from security personnel, demotions, and were often targeted with false accusations, ultimately feeling compelled to resign.
The BBC reported that many of the women chose to share their experiences due to their dissatisfaction with Fayed's portrayal in the Netflix series The Crown, which depicts his friendship with the late Princess Diana, who tragically died in a car crash alongside his son Dodi in 1997.
Although no lawsuits have been filed yet, the attorneys involved have signaled that they would welcome compensation from Harrods. However, they stress that their primary focus is on the recognition and accountability of the alleged abuses rather than financial restitution.
Lawyer Bruce Drummond remarked that the breadth of the accusations is considerable. Among the alleged victims are three Canadians, one of whom was just 16 at the time of her assault, and six women from the United States. Notably, some of these incidents are alleged to have occurred internationally in locations such as Saint Tropez and Abu Dhabi.
It was also highlighted that some of the women were affiliated with the Ritz Hotel in Paris, further expanding the scope of the claimed abuses. Following the sale of Harrods to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund for approximately £1.5 billion, previous allegations against Fayed of sexual misconduct went unaddressed by law enforcement, including a 2015 police investigation that did not result in charges.
Gloria Allred, a well-known American lawyer representing the victims, commented on the toxic and abusive environment surrounding Al Fayed's operations, likening him to convicted sex offenders like Jeffrey Epstein due to the alleged systematic procurement of women and minors for abuse. Armstrong noted parallels with other high-profile offenders, suggesting that there existed a culture within the organization that allowed such behavior to flourish unchecked.
As these serious allegations unfold, the conversation surrounding the systemic issues of abuse within powerful institutions has once again entered the public discourse, reminding society of the consequences of turning a blind eye to such misconduct.
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