Mohamed Al-Fayed, the late Egyptian billionaire who once owned the iconic Harrods department store and the Ritz hotel in Paris, has been posthumously accused of a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse. More than 20 former Harrods employees have come forward, alleging they were raped or assaulted by Al-Fayed during his tenure as the store’s owner. These accusations, unearthed through a BBC documentary titled ‘Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods,’ are casting a dark shadow over Al-Fayed’s legacy.
The documentary reveals a harrowing picture of alleged abuse spanning 25 years, from 1985 to 2010. Five women claim they were raped by Al-Fayed, while at least 15 others accuse him of sexual misconduct. The allegations stretch across locations, including London, Paris, Saint-Tropez, and Abu Dhabi. One woman shared her chilling experience with the BBC, calling Al-Fayed “a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass.” Another, identified only as Gemma, recounted how Al-Fayed allegedly raped her at his Villa Windsor apartment in Paris and forced her to clean herself with disinfectant to erase any evidence of the assault.
Lawyers representing the victims point fingers at Harrods, suggesting the company not only failed to intervene but may have played a role in covering up the abuse. Bruce Drummond, a barrister representing several of the victims, stated, “The spider’s web of corruption and abuse at this company was unbelievable and very dark.”
Harrods, now under new ownership, has issued a statement expressing their “utter disgust” at the allegations and condemning Al-Fayed’s actions. The company acknowledged its failure to protect its employees during Al-Fayed’s reign and vowed to seek justice for the victims. “While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation,” Harrods’ statement read.
The allegations have sparked ongoing legal investigations in both the UK and the US. Law firms like Leigh Day and Motley Rice are pursuing cases against Al-Fayed’s estate and even the UK Metropolitan Police for their alleged inaction on previous reports of abuse. Maria Mulla, a lawyer representing the victims, described a disturbing practice where female employees were subjected to mandatory medical examinations, including cervical and ovarian screenings. “If the women would query why the tests were necessary, they would be told…he wants to make sure that you are clean,” Mulla said. As of now, 37 women have come forward with claims, and lawyers anticipate this number to rise.
Dean Armstrong, another lawyer representing victims, emphasized the responsibility of Harrods, stating, “Meaningful accountability means having a proper voice and having the ability to tell your story.” Victims are being encouraged to pursue justice, with lawyers building a civil case against the luxury retailer for its alleged role in covering up Al-Fayed’s crimes.
While the allegations paint a disturbing picture of Al-Fayed’s actions, his life was not devoid of fame and influence. He was renowned for his ownership of Harrods and the Ritz, but his connection to Princess Diana and his son, Dodi Al Fayed, catapulted him into the global spotlight. Diana and Dodi were romantically involved and tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. After their deaths, Al-Fayed spent years pushing the theory that the crash was not an accident but a deliberate act by the British establishment to prevent Diana from marrying his son, a Muslim.
Despite an official inquest ruling that Diana and Dodi were unlawfully killed due to the negligent driving of their chauffeur, Henri Paul, while being pursued by paparazzi, Al-Fayed persisted in his belief that they were assassinated. He once said, “I believe they are withholding some of the documents at the request of the British secret services,” referring to his suspicions about the involvement of US and British agencies in the incident.
Al-Fayed’s complex personality and tragic loss were highlighted in Netflix’s The Crown, reigniting interest in his life story. However, for many of his former employees, the image portrayed in such shows stands in stark contrast to their personal experiences. Sophia, a former assistant, criticized the portrayal, saying, “People shouldn’t remember him like that.”
Born in 1929 in Alexandria, Egypt, Al-Fayed built his fortune through ventures in shipping, construction, and real estate. After moving to the UK in the 1970s, he made high-profile acquisitions, including the Ritz hotel in Paris in 1979 and the House of Fraser, which owned Harrods, in 1985. The purchase of Harrods cemented Al-Fayed’s public image, intertwining his name with British elite circles. He also bought Fulham FC for £6.25 million in 1997, selling it in 2013. Despite his business success, Al-Fayed was denied British citizenship, likely due to his controversial conspiracy theories and other issues.
Al-Fayed’s wealth and influence shielded him from legal repercussions during his lifetime, but the ongoing investigations ensure that his legacy will be forever clouded by the revelations of abuse. He is survived by Heini Wathén, his wife since 1985, and their four children: Jasmine, Camilla, Karim, and Omar. Dodi was Al-Fayed’s eldest son from his first marriage to Samira Khashoggi. Harrods was sold to Qatar’s royal family in 2010 for £1.5 billion ($2.3 billion), while the Ritz remains a symbol of luxury.
The unfolding investigations and the growing number of accusers raise profound questions about the culture of silence that may have allowed Al-Fayed to operate with impunity for so long. As the legal battles continue, the world is forced to confront the dark side of Al-Fayed’s legacy, a legacy that now extends beyond the glitz and glamour of his empire.
