A BBC investigation has uncovered testimonies from over 20 women who accuse the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed of rape and sexual assault during his time at the luxury London department store, BBC reports.
Al Fayed, who died in 2023, was accused of using his power to prey on young female employees, promoting those he found attractive and then assaulting them. Five women claim they were raped by Al Fayed, with assaults taking place in London, Paris, St Tropez, and Abu Dhabi. The investigation suggests that Harrods not only failed to intervene but helped cover up the abuse allegations.
Former staff describe a “culture of fear” at Harrods, with employees feeling powerless to stop the abuse. Security personnel were reportedly aware of the situation, and Harrods had surveillance measures in place, including phone tapping and hidden cameras. Some women were forced to sign NDAs and shred evidence of the abuse in exchange for money.
Al Fayed faced previous sexual misconduct allegations, but the scale of the allegations has only recently come to light, with many women feeling more able to speak out following his death. Harrods’ current owners have apologized for the failure to protect employees and are now settling claims.
