Former Harrods boss Mohamed al-Fayed, whose son Imad al-Din “Dodi” Mohamed Fayed died in a car crash with Princess Diana in Paris in 1997, has been accused of multiple rapes. BBCFive women have claimed they were raped by the billionaire businessman, who died last year at the age of 94, when they worked at luxury London department store Harrods, which Al-Fayed owned from 1985 to 2010. The outlet revealed it has heard testimony from more than 20 former female employees who claim the billionaire businessman sexually assaulted them, with the incidents allegedly taking place in London, St. Tropez, Abu Dhabi and Paris.
These allegations were made in a petition. BBC Documentary, Title ‘Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods’The documentary revealed that during Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene but also helped cover up allegations of abuse.
In a statement, Harrods’ current bosses said they were “deeply shocked” by the allegations and that their victims had been deceived – for which the store has apologised.
“These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his position and we strongly condemn them,” the statement said. “We also acknowledge that as a business, we let down our employees who were his victims during this time and for that we sincerely apologise.”
according to BBCA woman has alleged that the billionaire raped her in his London apartment. “I made it clear I didn’t want this. I didn’t consent. I just wanted it all to be over,” she told the outlet.
Another woman claimed she was raped in Mayfair’s apartment when she was a teenager. “We were all scared. He actively instilled fear,” she said. “If he said ‘jump’ the staff would ask ‘how high’.”
A woman named Sophia, who worked as Fayed’s personal assistant from 1988 to 1991, says the billionaire tried to rape her on more than one occasion. “I couldn’t leave. I had no (family) home to go back to, I had to pay rent,” she said. “I knew I had to go through it and I didn’t want to. It was horrible and my head was spinning.”
Another of his personal assistants, Gemma, who worked for Fayed from 2007 to 2009, claimed that he raped her at Villa Windsor in Paris, the former home of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson. She said that as part of her quitting agreement, she had to destroy all evidence and sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), in return for which she was given a sum of money. Ms Gemma told the outlet that a shredding truck came to her lawyer’s office and a member of HR from Harrods was present.
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Tony Leeming, a former Harrods department store manager for 10 years, said he was aware of abuse of women at the store but claimed he did not know of allegations of assault or rape. Mr Leeming’s testimony has been supported by former members of Fayed’s security team.
“We knew he had a keen interest in young girls,” said Eamon Coyle, who joined Harrods in 1979 as a store detective, then became deputy director of security from 1989-95.
Several women told BBC When she began working directly for Fayed she underwent medicals — which included invasive sexual health tests performed by doctors. The outlet also reported that before his death, the billionaire faced multiple sexual assault claims in 1997, 2008, and 2017.
A total of 14 of the women the outlet spoke to for its investigation have filed civil claims against Harrods for damages. According to the outlet, the department store’s current owners have begun settling these in July 2023.
It is worth mentioning that Egyptian-born Fayed moved to the United Kingdom in 1974 and was already a well-known public figure when he took over Harrods in 1985. His son Dodi died in a car crash with Princess Diana in 1997. He has become famous among the new generation through Netflix’s two most recent series ‘The Crown’.
