65 more women accuse former Harrods owner of sexual abuse

Sixty-five additional women have contacted the BBC, sharing allegations of sexual abuse by the late businessman and former Harrods owner, Mohamed Al Fayed.

These new claims, some dating back as far as 1977, come in the wake of a BBC documentary and podcast, “Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods“.

The accusations include a wide range of abuses, from sexual harassment to assault and rape, further expanding the ongoing investigation into the former Harrods owner’s conduct.

Staff, others claim decades of sexual abuse by Harrods owner

Of the 65 women who came forward, several provided specific details about their experiences during Al Fayed’s ownership of Harrods and beyond:

• 37 of the women were employed at Harrods during Al Fayed’s ownership.
• Others alleged they were recruited under false pretenses into domestic roles and later faced sexual exploitation.
• One woman accused Al Fayed of assaulting her in Dubai in 1977, years before he purchased Harrods in 1985.

Harrods has initiated a process to settle directly with over 200 individuals in response to these mounting claims since the documentary aired.

Investigations into former Harrods owner continue as more victims speak out

The Metropolitan Police is now investigating the new allegations alongside older reports of abuse spanning from 1979 to 2013. Law enforcement is conducting a comprehensive review to determine if new information requires further investigation.

Lawyers representing the victims, who formed a group called “Justice for Harrods Survivors”, report that they are processing inquiries from over 220 women. The legal group now represents 71 individuals, and more women feel secure in coming forward as the inquiry progresses.

Harrods issues apology as company distances itself from past

Harrods has responded to the allegations surrounding Al Fayed’s conduct with strong disapproval and a formal apology:

• The current management stated it is “appalled” by the revelations.
• Harrods emphasized that the company today is vastly different from when Al Fayed was in control.
• As part of the apology, Harrods prioritized quick settlements to avoid lengthy legal proceedings.
• The company continues to encourage others to come forward with claims.

The new allegations add to the ongoing investigation into Al Fayed’s conduct, with efforts continuing to bring justice for the many individuals who have come forward.

Could sexual abuse allegations affect Harrods as business?

While Al Fayed’s estate no longer owns Harrods, the ongoing allegations could still have a significant impact on the company:

• Reputation damage: Despite new ownership, Harrods may face challenges in maintaining its image, as the association with Al Fayed becomes more widely known. The luxury brand could suffer from negative public perception, especially among those concerned with corporate ethics and responsibility.
• Boycotts and loss of customers: Some customers may distance themselves from the brand, and public calls for boycotts could arise as more people learn about the extent of the allegations. This could result in a decline in customer loyalty.
• Financial settlements: Harrods is already working on settling claims with over 200 individuals. The financial implications of these settlements could affect the company’s financial health, especially if more claims arise.
• Ongoing legal scrutiny: Further investigations into Al Fayed’s conduct could bring additional legal and financial pressure on Harrods, potentially uncovering more past practices within the company that require action.
• Brand recovery efforts: Harrods may need to invest heavily in public relations to distance itself from Al Fayed’s legacy and communicate its current values clearly to rebuild trust with customers.

While Harrods has expressed strong disapproval of the actions linked to its former owner and emphasized that the company has changed under new leadership, the business may still face significant challenges due to the fallout from these allegations.