Late Egyptian Billionaire and former owner of the iconic Harrods department store, Mohamed al-Fayed, has been accused of rape and sexual assault by former employees, according to a BBC documentary titled “Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods.”
In the documentary, more than 20 women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse. Several former staff members also claimed that the company was aware of the misconduct. Five of the women alleged they were raped by al-Fayed while working at Harrods. In response, the store’s current owners apologized, stating, “We failed our employees who were his victims, and for this, we sincerely apologise.”
Al-Fayed, who was once closely connected to British royalty, has been portrayed in the final season of Netflix’s “The Crown.” The series highlights his relationship with his son Dodi, who tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 alongside Princess Diana, with whom he had a romantic relationship. In the series, al-Fayed is depicted as a charismatic businessman striving for acceptance within the British establishment.
Al-Fayed passed away in 2023, which some believe may have encouraged more women to come forward with their stories. This is not the first time al-Fayed has faced allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. A 1995 Vanity Fair article described how female employees had to undergo invasive medical exams and answer personal gynecological questions. Al-Fayed filed a libel lawsuit in response but dropped it two years later.
British authorities have also investigated some of the claims. In 2009, prosecutors declined to charge al-Fayed after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. In 2013, police investigated another allegation from a woman who claimed al-Fayed sexually assaulted her after a job interview. Al-Fayed denied both allegations and was never charged.
The recent BBC investigation reveals even more serious accusations of rape and attempted rape. The legal team representing some of the accusers is expected to hold a news conference to discuss their legal claims against Harrods for allegedly failing to provide a safe working environment.
The assaults reportedly occurred at various locations, including Harrods, the Ritz Paris hotel, and Villa Windsor, all properties owned by al-Fayed in France.
Former Harrods employees told the BBC that there was a culture of fear within the company, and many women felt powerless to stop the abuse. Some recalled watching coworkers being taken to meetings with al-Fayed, thinking, “You poor girl, it’s you today.” The store’s former deputy director of security revealed that phones were bugged and cameras were installed throughout the premises to monitor employees.
In recent years, Harrods has begun settling claims with women who reported being abused by al-Fayed. He sold the store to Qatar’s state-run investment fund in 2010 for approximately $2 billion.
Harrods’ current owners expressed their shock at the revelations, stating they are “utterly appalled” by the allegations. They also emphasized that the store is now “a very different organization” than it was under al-Fayed’s ownership, with a strong focus on employee welfare.
