Mohamed Al Fayed – latest: Harrods sex abuse allegations called ‘one of worst cases world has ever seen’
Survivors and lawyers speak at press conference on ‘horrific’ allegations of ‘corporate sexual exploitation’
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
More than 20 women have accused former Harrods owner Mohammad Al Fayed of sexual assault, including five who say they were raped.
At a press conference held by lawyers and survivors in London on Friday, barrister Bruce Drummond KC said: “This is one of the worst cases of corporate sexual exploitation that certainly I and perhaps the world has ever seen.”
The ex-employees, all female, said the Egyptian billionaire had assaulted them while working at the world-famous London department store, in allegations first revealed by the BBC documentary Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods.
After the allegations were revealed, another woman came forward to accuse him of “sickening” sexual abuse.
Al-Fayed, who is accused of abusing women in London, Paris, St Tropez and Abu Dhabi, died last year aged 94.
One woman, who was just a teenager when she was allegedly raped by Fayed, described him as a “monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever”, who viewed staff at Harrods as his “playthings”.
Harrods said it was “utterly appalled” by the allegations and said they were the actions of “someone intent on abusing his power wherever he operated”.
Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Legal team ‘not ruling anything out'
Dean Armstrong KC suggests the legal team are pursuing other parties – without adding further details.
“It is certainly not the case that we are not pursuing other parties,” he responds to a reporter.
“We are not ruling anything out,” he added.
Further related allegations, lawyer says
Barrister Maria Mulla has told the press conference that there are further allegations yet to come.
Asked whether there are more serious allegations yet to come beyond those seen in the BBC’s documentary, “Yes, unfortunately so. From the numerous women that we represent we have a number of more serious allegations that have been made.
“Also that don’t just concern Mohammad Al-Fayed. But we are not able to go any further about that now.”
However, she added that they are “the worst sexual assaults that you can imagine”.
Survivor recalls attempted rape by Al-Fayed
Natacha, who formerly worked as Al-Fayed’s PA, recalled being summoned to his room, where she she would go through a “forced kiss, his hands gripping your face to his lip or pulling you down to his lap where his hands were free to explore any part of your body he wished”.
She was reminded not to tell anyone, being told that Al-Fayed would find out if she did. “I felt such fear and some sick loyalty as his employee. It was an era when women were still the underclass in the working world,” she said.
One night she was asked to stay late, and was summoned to Al-Fayed’s apartment on pretext of job review. Natacha was escorted by security guard who ushered her into his private sitting room and the door was locked behind her.
She was offered a glass of champagne. Sex toys were on view and his bedroom door was partially open, Natacha said, adding: “I felt petrified.”
Al-Fayed “pushed himself” onto her, before Natacha fell onto the floor with him still on top of her. “I managed to kick free and free myself, I ran towards the door. I told him I was meeting my father for dinner and he would be worried I was late,” Natacha said.
“He just laughed at me,” she said. He then “composed himself” and told her not to tell anyone – or she would never work in London again and that he knew where her family lived.
“I felt scared and sick. Eventually leaving Park Lane, I never stepped foot in his private office again,” Natacha said.
‘Call me Papa’, Al-Fayed told employee
Natacha was 19, and had moved to London before getting an interview with Harrods in a supporting role to his private PA.
She was interviewed by himself at his private office, and given the job.
She thought it was the “chance of a lifetime”, saying it was her “passport to a shining, high-power career”.
“He was clever and highly manipulative, he behaved like a father figure, saying call me Papa,” Natacha told the press conference. “Unbeknownst to me, I had worn into a lion’s den … the chairman prayed on the most vulnerable.”
She added: “Those who abuse need to know that its not OK. They need to know that one day, like today, they will be found out and exposed.”
The survivors ‘will be silenced no more’, says leading women’s rights lawyer
Leading women’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred told the press conference: “He died without ever taking responsibility for what he did to many of his victims. These victims have suffered for years, even decades. They have lived with the shame, humiliation and the anguish that Mohammad al-Fayed and Harrods caused them.
“Al Fayed was determined to silence these women. They will be silenced no more.
“We are proud of all of the women who are coming forward to seek accountability. The good news is that civil justice is still available for them, and they will not rest.
“It is not enough for Harrods to now say that they are sorry … Justice demands that the victims receive meaningful accountability for what they suffered.”
Women were on receiving end of vile threats, barrister says
One employee was sexually assaulted and raised this in a formal written complaint to Harrods.
The head of security, John Mcnamara, allegedly said: “You are a girl alone in London, someone could jump out the bushes at you, or you could have a sudden accident. You need to deny what you have said in the first letter with a second letter, which you must drop off before noon.”
She did as she was told out of fear, Ms Mulla said.
Another woman was told she had been “disloyal” to the chairman, and she had to leave immediately.
If she spoke to press, she was told “in explicit terms that there would be serious consequences”, it was alleged.
She was subjected to threats, became mentally ill, suicidal, and admitted to psychiatric hospital for 6 months of her life. She was also left unable to create relationships with other men, losing out on the opportunity to have her own family, lawyers said.
Harrods doctor checked my ovaries and sent results to Mohamed Al-Fayed, claims former assistant
Former Harrods employees claim their gynaecological test results were sent directly to the department store’s ex-owner Mohamed Al Fayed, my colleague Holly Patrick reports.
Speaking in the BBC documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, the former staff members claimed they were told to undergo medical checkups — including an internal sexual health test — as “an extra perk of the job” and because Al Fayed’s son Dodi “had a low immune system”.
One woman claimed she had a smear test and a doctor checked her ovaries.
“My results were sent directly to the chairman so quickly that by the time I had got back to my desk, he knew the results,” she alleged.
Survivors had ‘private medical examination’
Women would be sent for a ‘private medical examination’ by 3 or 4 doctors after being selected by recruitment team, said barrister Maria Mulla.
This would involve a full body screening, sometimes including a cervical smear and an ovary check.
These checks would be done for roles as Al-Fayed’s secretary, personal assistant, or even interior designer.
Al-Fayed would make “degrading and humiliating comments personally about what he had been told at their medical examination”.
Harrods invites former employees to come forward with allegations
Harrods has set up a page on its website inviting former employees to come forward if they have any allegations.
‘This could be one of worst cases of corporate sexual exploitation world has ever seen,’ lawyer says
Bruce Drummond KC told the press conference: “This is one of the worst cases of corporate sexual exploitation that certainly I and perhaps the world has ever seen.
“It was absolutely horrific. I cannot stress that word enough – it was horrific. It’s horrific because the acts carried out against these young women and girls – and I say girls, because most of them were only 19 to 24 at the time, and some were as young as 15 and 16.
“It’s horrific, because the system – and it was the system – that procured them was enabling the abuse of these young women. And it’s horrific because the effects that this sexual abuse and Harrods’ institutional betrayal has had on our clients.
“These effects have lasted years, and in some instances, for decades. And even continue to this day.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.