UK police have reported that 40 women have come forward with sex crime allegations against the late Harrods owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. Recently, the Metropolitan Police in London revealed that these new allegations include claims of rape or sexual assault dating back to the years between 1979 and 2013. This development comes after the BBC aired claims made by former employees of the iconic London department store last month.
The police stated that a total of 61 women have now accused Al Fayed of sexual misconduct, with 21 previously reporting similar allegations between 2005 and 2023. Despite investigations into the matter in the past, Al Fayed was never prosecuted and passed away last year at the age of 94. Commander Stephen Clayman emphasised the importance of victims coming forward and urged anyone with information on these offences to contact the authorities.
Questions have surfaced regarding why action was not taken against Al Fayed during his lifetime, especially since he was questioned by detectives back in 2008 regarding the alleged abuse of a 15-year-old. Furthermore, police forwarded evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2009 and 2015, yet no charges were ever brought against him. Harrods’ current managing director, Michael Ward, issued an apology last month, acknowledging the failure to address employee concerns during Al Fayed’s tenure.
Born in Egypt, Mohamed Al Fayed relocated to the UK in the 1960s and acquired Harrods in the mid-1980s, establishing himself as a prominent figure in British society. In 2010, he sold the renowned department store to the state of Qatar. Apart from Harrods, Al Fayed was also known for his ownership of the London football club Fulham. His public profile gained further attention following the tragic death of his son, Dodi, alongside Princess Diana in 1997.
Al Fayed garnered significant media interest due to his unsubstantiated claims of a conspiracy orchestrated by the royal family to orchestrate the accident in which Diana and Dodi lost their lives. However, official inquiries conducted in both the UK and France concluded that there was no evidence to support these allegations.
The ongoing revelations surrounding Mohamed Al Fayed highlight a complex and troubling chapter in the history of Harrods and its former owner. As investigations continue and more women step forward with their stories, the case raises important questions about accountability and the handling of allegations of sexual misconduct in high-profile settings.