Mohamed Al-Fayed, the former owner of London’s luxury department store Harrods, has been accused of multiple rapes and sexual assaults by former female employees, according to a BBC investigation released Thursday.
Al-Fayed, who died in September 2023 at age 94, allegedly committed these acts against at least five women who worked at Harrods between 1985 and 2010, when he owned the store. The BBC report, based on testimonies from over 20 former female staff members, claims the assaults took place in London, Paris, St. Tropez, and Abu Dhabi.
One woman told the BBC that Al-Fayed raped her at his London apartment, stating, “I made it obvious that I didn’t want that to happen. I did not give consent. I just wanted it to be over.” Another alleged victim, who was a teenager at the time, described being raped at Al-Fayed’s Mayfair apartment, saying, “We were all so scared. He actively cultivated fear.”
A former personal assistant, identified as Sophia, claimed Al-Fayed attempted to rape her multiple times and sexually assaulted her during her employment from 1988 to 1991. Another assistant, Gemma, alleged she was raped by Mohamed at Villa Windsor in Paris between 2007 and 2009.
The investigation also suggests that Harrods may have failed to intervene and possibly helped cover up abuse allegations during Al-Fayed’s ownership. Some women reported undergoing medical examinations, including sexual health tests, when they began working directly for Al-Fayed.
In response to the allegations, Harrods released a statement expressing shock and condemning the alleged actions. The company apologized for failing its employees during Al-Fayed’s ownership and stated it is working to settle claims quickly to avoid lengthy legal proceedings.
Al-Fayed, an Egyptian-born businessman, was a controversial figure best known in recent years as the father of Dodi Fayed, who died alongside Princess Diana in a 1997 Paris car crash. The BBC’s revelations add a disturbing new chapter to his legacy.
The accusations will be further detailed in a BBC documentary titled “Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods,” set to air on September 19.
