By Television personality Bianca Gascoigne has come forward with allegations that former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed sexually assaulted her when she worked at the luxury department store as a teenager, adding to mounting accusations against the late businessman.
Gascoigne, 37, the adopted daughter of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne, told Sky News she was 16 when Al Fayed allegedly groomed and sexually assaulted her during her employment at Harrods. Her accusations come as the store confirms more than 250 women have entered its process to settle compensation claims for historical sexual misconduct allegations against Al Fayed.
In a detailed account, Gascoigne described how Al Fayed initially presented himself as “charming” and “personable,” bringing gifts to her family and positioning himself as a father figure by criticizing her own father’s behavior. “He used to tell me how much of a bad father my dad was, because he used to come into the store drunk,” she said. “He used to tell me that he was an embarrassment, that I should look to him as a father figure.”
Gascoigne, who began as a shop floor worker before being promoted to fashion buyer, alleged Al Fayed would grope her and force her to kiss her during weekly meetings. She detailed one particularly disturbing incident at the Harrods Park Lane apartment, where she says Al Fayed appeared unexpectedly and sexually assaulted her.
“He came in, and then he sat me down on the sofa and was obviously very forceful with the touching and the kissing,” Gascoigne said. “He got his privates out and got my hand and was trying to manoeuvre it on his parts, and when that didn’t work, he was trying to force my head on his lap.”
The TV personality said she remained silent for years, fearing “embarrassment and shame” and potential job loss after Al Fayed allegedly threatened her employment if she spoke out. She said even her parents were unaware of the alleged abuse.
Gascoigne’s decision to come forward was prompted by other victims sharing their stories through a recent BBC documentary and podcast, “Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods.” The investigation featured testimony from more than 20 former female employees and alleged that Harrods helped cover up abuse allegations during Al Fayed’s ownership.
The Justice for Harrods Survivors group, representing Al Fayed’s accusers, praised Gascoigne’s courage in coming forward. Harrods’ current owners have expressed being “utterly appalled” by the allegations, offering a sincere apology to victims they acknowledge were failed by the institution.
Al Fayed, who died last year at 94, owned Harrods, the Ritz Paris hotel, and Fulham FC during the period of many alleged attacks. Many accusers say they felt unable to report incidents until recently.
