A month after dozens of women accused Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed of rape and sexual assault, six women have appeared on the cover of The Sunday Times to speak about their ordeals.
The former Harrods employees spoke to journalist Rosamund Urwin, detailing the horrifying ways they were harassed and abused by their boss at the department store.
It comes after multiple allegations revealed last month by the BBC which spanned almost 40 years, beginning in the late 70s. Dozens of women who worked for the late owner of luxury department store have since come out to accuse him of rape and attempted rape during their employment.
Many of them said they felt unable to report the crimes until recently.
Fayed, who died last September aged 94, was a “controversial chairman” of Harrods and former owner of the Ritz Hotel in Paris who courted celebrities and rubbed shoulders with members of the royal family.
In September, after the BBC broadcasted a documentary revealing the harrowing extent of Fayed’s crimes, hundreds of women came forward to settle claims against Harrods. The documentary featured dozens of women whom claim that they’d been raped and assaulted by the former patron during their time as his employees and that the London retail landmark had covered up the abuse.
Details of his criminal past have been known for several years. During his lifetime, repeated allegations of sexual harassment from female staff were made, but many were not properly investigated.
In 2009, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against Fayed over claims he had sexually assaulted a teenage girl at the store. In 2013, he faced a rape allegation which was reinvestigated by police two years later but did not lead to any charges. Fayed consistently denied the allegations.
Between 2017 and 2018, two separate documentaries were aired which featured several female ex-employees who spoke about the sexual harassment and assaults they suffered from Fayed. One of the women said she accepted £60,000 to drop a sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination claim.
After the latest BBC documentary aired, late businessman’s son, Omar Fayed issued a statement saying he was horrified by the “extent and explicit nature of the allegations” against his father which he said had “thrown into question, the loving memory I had of him”.
“How this matter could have been concealed for so long and in so many ways, raises further disturbing questions”, he wrote. “Throughout history, people in positions of power have all too often been shielded from the consequences of their actions, and justice has frequently been delayed or denied to those who have suffered. I firmly believe that anyone found guilty of such reprehensible actions, including having had facilitated, enabled or helped cover up such actions, no matter their status, must be held accountable.”
Last week, Harrods revealed it was working with more than 250 women making compensation claims for the allege historical sexual misconduct by Fayed.
The new owners of the company have issued an apology to the victims, saying they are “appalled” by allegations and that they are conducting an internal review.
“We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed,” the statement read. “These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated and we condemn them in the strongest terms. We also acknowledge that during this time as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.”
“While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.”
A group representing the accusers of the former Harrods boss (Justice for Harrods Survivors group) said more than 140 women are now being represented and supported by lawyers including high profile US attorney and women’s rights advocate, Gloria Allred who has represented several celebrities and politicians.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.