Dozens of women have come forward accusing the late Mohamed Al-Fayed of rape and sexual abuse, comparing his actions to other well-known celebrities such as Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein. The women worked at Harrods during Al-Fayed’s ownership, with one victim describing him as “highly manipulative” and targeting the most vulnerable employees. The allegations against Al-Fayed have been ongoing since at least 1997, with claims that the institution was aware of his behavior but took no action to stop it.
Lawyers representing the victims held a press briefing in London following the release of the BBC documentary “Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods,” where they highlighted the disturbing similarities between this case and those involving other high-profile sex offenders. The lead lawyer, Dean Armstrong, stated that the case combined elements of the Savile, Epstein, and Weinstein cases due to the institution’s knowledge of the abuse, a procurement system in place to source victims, and a powerful figure at the top of the organization abusing their authority. The new owners of Harrods, who purchased the store from Al-Fayed in 2010, expressed shock and horror at the allegations and vowed to ensure such behavior never happens again.
Despite Harrods’ claims that they were unaware of the abuse allegations until recently, Armstrong questioned their knowledge, citing decades of sexual assault allegations against Al-Fayed. The lawyers called on the store to take responsibility for what happened and make amends for the victims as soon as possible. Gloria Allred, a prominent US lawyer who has represented victims in high-profile sexual abuse cases, also spoke out against the toxic and abusive environment that existed beneath the glitz and glamour of Harrods. She highlighted the disappointment faced by many women who dreamt of working at the prestigious store only to encounter a dangerous workplace culture.
Mohamed Al-Fayed, also known as Mou Mou, has faced repeated accusations of sexual harassment, abuse, and rape over the years, some involving minors. Beyond his ownership of Harrods, he also owned the Ritz hotel in Paris and the Premier League football club Fulham. The allegations against him date back to at least 1997, suggesting a pattern of using his wealth and influence to prey on vulnerable individuals. The press briefing in London aimed to bring attention to these long-standing allegations and demand accountability from Harrods for their role in enabling Al-Fayed’s abusive behavior.
The victims of Mohamed Al-Fayed’s alleged abuse hope that by speaking out and sharing their stories, they can seek justice for the trauma they endured while working at Harrods. The comparison to other high-profile sex offenders serves to highlight the systemic issues of abuse of power and lack of accountability that exist in institutions like Harrods. The lawyers representing the victims are determined to ensure that those responsible for enabling Al-Fayed’s actions are held accountable and that measures are put in place to prevent such abuse from happening again in the future. The heart-wrenching testimonies of the victims shed light on the devastating impact of sexual abuse and the importance of speaking out against those who abuse their power.
