Mohamed Al Fayed, the late former owner of Harrods, has been accused of being a “serial sexual abuser” by 37 women who allege they were raped or sexually assaulted over 25 years.
The allegations came to light during a press conference held by the legal team representing the victims, who described Fayed as a “monster” who used his power and wealth to manipulate and control women.
The accusations, which were made public on Friday, September 2024, include detailed accounts of sexual assaults that occurred during Fayed’s ownership of Harrods from 1985 to 2010. The barrister leading the case, Dean Armstrong KC, described Fayed as a figure who “combined some of the most horrific elements” of well-known predators like Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein.
“I have many years of practice… I have never seen a case as horrific as this,” Armstrong said, alleging that Fayed ran a “systematic” abuse operation. He claimed that there was a “procurement system” in place to source victims, some of whom were very young. Armstrong further alleged that Harrods, the upscale London department store, was complicit in the abuse, stating that the institution “knew about Mohamed Al Fayed’s inappropriate behavior well before 2023.”
One of the victims, Natacha, who was 19 years old when she worked for Fayed, recounted her traumatic experiences during the press conference. Describing Fayed as a “sick predator,” she said he “lured her in” with the promise of career advancement, only to subject her to sexual abuse. Natacha recalled a particular evening when she was summoned to Fayed’s private apartment at Harrods, where he allegedly attempted to rape her. “I kicked him off and ran to the door… He just laughed and told me I would never work in London again, and he knew where my family lived,” she said.
The legal team outlined numerous incidents in which victims were threatened, demoted, or forced out of their jobs after making complaints. In one instance, a woman was warned by Harrods’ security head that she might have a “sudden accident” if she did not retract her allegations. Women were also reportedly followed by Fayed’s security team, and their phone calls were monitored.
The allegations of systematic abuse have led to an apology from Harrods, which has been under new ownership since 2010. The company expressed being “utterly appalled by the allegations” and has set up a compensation scheme for victims. “While we cannot undo the past, we are determined to do the right thing as an organization,” a Harrods spokesperson said, acknowledging the institution’s failure to protect its employees.
The revelations come almost a year after Fayed’s death in September 2023 at the age of 94, sparking outrage among survivors who believe he evaded justice. “I couldn’t believe this monster had gotten away with his crimes,” said Natacha. “Thankfully, today, this is a different story.”
The case has drawn comparisons to high-profile abuse scandals, and the legal team has called for Harrods to take full responsibility for failing to protect its staff. “It is time they set matters right,” Armstrong declared at the press conference held in London, urging the institution to accept full blame for the years of abuse under Fayed’s leadership.
The investigation into the allegations continues, with more women coming forward with claims of sexual assault by the late billionaire.
