The managing director of Harrods, Michael Ward, issued an apology on Thursday for the failure of the London department store to address allegations of sexual assault by its late owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. According to Ward, Al Fayed presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion, and sexual misconduct. The apology comes after 19 women came forward with allegations of sex crimes committed by Al Fayed, who was never prosecuted. Five women told the BBC they were raped by Al Fayed, while others allege acts of assault and physical violence. Ward stated that he was not aware of Al Fayed’s criminal behavior during his time working for him.
Al Fayed owned Harrods for 25 years before selling it in 2010 to a company owned by the state of Qatar. The Qatar Investment Authority now owns the department store. Ward expressed deep remorse for the failure to protect Harrods employees who were victims of Al Fayed’s alleged abuse. Harrods has initiated a settlement process for the victims of Al Fayed’s misconduct. The company acknowledged the shameful period in its history under Al Fayed’s ownership but emphasized that the Harrods of today is unrecognizable from that time.
The Metropolitan Police in London confirmed that 19 women had made allegations against Al Fayed between 2005 and 2023, including three allegations of rape, 15 of sexual assault, and one related to trafficking. Al Fayed was questioned by detectives in 2008 over the alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old, and files of evidence were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2009 and 2015. However, Al Fayed was never charged with any crimes. The police are reviewing the allegations to determine if there are any new lines of inquiry. They are encouraging victims to come forward and report any abuse.
Mohamed Al Fayed, an Egypt-born businessman, became a well-known figure in Britain after moving there in the 1960s and purchasing Harrods in the mid-1980s. He also owned the London soccer team Fulham. Al Fayed gained attention following the tragic death of his son Dodi alongside Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris in 1997. Al Fayed promoted the conspiracy theory that the British royal family orchestrated the accident due to their disapproval of Diana dating an Egyptian. However, multiple inquiries concluded that the deaths were the result of the reckless actions of their driver and the paparazzi chasing them, ruling out any conspiracy involving the royal family.
The family of Mohamed Al Fayed has not commented on the allegations made against him. Despite the police investigation and mounting accusations, no charges were ever brought against Al Fayed during his lifetime. The case highlights the importance of addressing allegations of abuse and misconduct in the workplace, as well as the need for organizations to take responsibility for their failure to protect employees. Harrods has expressed regret for the oversight and has taken steps to rectify the situation by offering support to the victims of Al Fayed’s alleged crimes.
