Al Fayed Accused of Decades-Long Rape and Assault of Staff, Say Lawyers

By Catarina Demony

LONDON (Reuters) – The late Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed has been accused of sexually abusing female staff at his London department store, Harrods. Allegations include forcing employees to undergo medical screenings and threatening them if they tried to raise complaints, according to lawyers representing the alleged victims.

One former employee described Al Fayed as "a monster." Harrods issued an apology after more than 20 women shared their experiences of sexual abuse, some involving rape, with the media. Al Fayed passed away last year at the age of 94.

"Underneath Harrods’ glitz and glamour was a toxic, unsafe and abusive environment," attorney Gloria Allred said during a press conference. She stated that the allegations cover a span of 25 years and include serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and abuse of minors.

Dean Armstrong, another lawyer, noted that the firm is currently representing 37 women, with expectations that this number will grow. One of the survivors, Natacha, expressed her anger upon seeing Al Fayed’s obituary. "I could not believe that this monster had gotten away with his crime," she remarked, without disclosing her last name.

A recent documentary highlighted that Harrods failed to act and assisted in covering up abuse allegations during Al Fayed’s ownership from 1985 to 2010. Throughout this time, Al Fayed consistently denied the accusations against him.

Attorney Maria Mulla explained that female employees chosen for positions like secretary or personal assistant were subjected to medical examinations, including screenings for cervical and ovarian health. "If the women questioned the necessity of these tests, they were told… he wants to make sure that you are clean," Mulla stated. Workers faced threats if they attempted to speak out about the abuses they experienced.

Harrods expressed being "utterly appalled" by the allegations in a statement, noting that the actions described were those of an individual abusing his power. The organization acknowledged that the victims had been failed during this time and extended a sincere apology.

Al Fayed sold Harrods to a Qatari investment vehicle in a deal reported at around 1.5 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) in 2010, and the department store claims it is now a "very different organization." A spokesperson for the Ritz hotel in Paris, another property previously owned by Al Fayed, condemned any behavior that does not align with the hotel’s values.

Allegations against Al Fayed were previously reported by several media outlets, including significant coverage from Vanity Fair in 1995, ITV in 1997, and Channel 4 in 2017. Many women felt empowered to come forward only after Al Fayed’s death last year. In 2009, prosecutors had opted not to charge Al Fayed regarding a claim of sexual assault against a 15-year-old girl, citing insufficient evidence for a realistic prosecution.

Since new information surfaced in 2023 regarding historical allegations of abuse by Al Fayed, Harrods has prioritized settling claims expediently to avoid prolonged legal proceedings for the women involved. A compensation claiming process is now available for both current and former Harrods employees.

Armstrong asserted that Harrods was aware of Al Fayed’s behavior long before 2023 and should have acted sooner. Lawyers representing victims argue that they deserve justice and plan to pursue a civil case against Harrods, holding it accountable for its "collective corporate responsibility" in these matters. "Meaningful accountability means having a proper voice and the ability to tell your story," Armstrong stated.

Mohamed Al Fayed, born in Alexandria, Egypt, began his career selling soft drinks and later worked as a sewing machine salesman. He amassed a fortune through investments in real estate, shipping, and construction across the Middle East and Europe.

Al Fayed notably spent a decade attempting to prove that Princess Diana and his son Dodi were murdered in connection with their fatal car crash in Paris in 1997, though his claims lacked any supporting evidence, according to an inquest into Diana’s death.