Mohamed Al Fayed: Former Harrods Owner Accused of Rape and Sexual Abuse by Dozens of Women

Former Harrods Boss Mohamed Al Fayed Accused of Rape and Sexual Abuse

Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of luxury department store Harrods, is facing serious allegations of rape and sexual abuse from dozens of women. The accusations, spanning Al Fayed’s 25-year tenure at Harrods beginning in 1985, were brought to light during a televised news conference held by lawyers representing 37 accusers.

The allegations, detailed in a BBC documentary titled “Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods,” include claims of rape in London and Paris, as well as numerous acts of assault and violence. Lead lawyer Dean Armstrong described Al Fayed as a “monster” who was enabled by systemic issues at Harrods, drawing comparisons to high-profile cases involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein.

Some of the accusers were reportedly teenagers at the time of the alleged incidents, with one as young as 15. London’s Metropolitan Police had previously questioned Al Fayed in 2008 but did not pursue charges.

During the news conference, an accuser identified as Natacha shared her experience, describing Al Fayed as manipulative and predatory. She recounted an incident where Al Fayed allegedly attempted to assault her under the pretext of a job review and subsequently threatened her to remain silent.

Al Fayed, who moved to Britain in the 1960s, built a business empire that included the Ritz hotel and Fulham soccer team. He sold Harrods in 2010 to the Qatar Investment Authority.

The current owners of Harrods expressed shock at the allegations, claiming they only became aware of them last year. They stated their commitment to ensuring such behavior is not repeated. However, Armstrong criticized Harrods’ claims of ignorance, citing previous media reports of Al Fayed’s misconduct.

U.S. lawyer Gloria Allred highlighted the stark contrast between Harrods’ glamorous image and the allegedly abusive environment within during Al Fayed’s tenure. The legal team is calling for Harrods to take responsibility for the past abuses and is continuing efforts to add more clients to the case against Al Fayed.

As this story develops, it raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the long-term impact of alleged systemic abuse within high-profile organizations.