Mohamed Al-Fayed

More than a year after the death of Egyptian businessman and former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, several women have gathered the courage to open about and accuse him of rape and sexual assault.

Around 20 women, five of them during a live programme televised by a British media house, have alleged horrors committed by Al-Fayed during his time at the helm of affairs at Harrods and Ritz Paris Hotel.

The five women alleged that they were subjected to sexual harassment by the billionaire while working at Harrods, a luxury departmental store based in London, UK, with one of them being a teenager at that time.

The women have also alleged intentional negligence and cover-ups by those working for Al-Fayed.

Harrods’ statement on this act

The current top management of the departmental store has stated that they are “utterly appalled” by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed.

The official statement issued by them mentions, “These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated and we condemn them in the strongest terms. We also acknowledge that during this time his victims were failed and for this we sincerely apologise.”

The company offers any “current or former Harrods employee” to testify against Al-Fayed if they believe that they “have been the victim of sexual misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed.” It directs them to fill out a form at their discretion, providing any personal details they are willing to provide.

Who was Mohamed Al-Fayed?

Al-Fayed, who died aged 94 in August 2023, was an Egyptian billionaire and the father of Princess Diana’s boyfriend Dodi.

Al-Fayed rose from selling fizzy drinks on the streets of Alexandria in Egypt. During a two-year marriage to Samira Khashoggi, he started to work for his brother-in-law Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian arms dealer and businessman who helped Fayed forge connections.

Fayed launched his own shipping business, later bought the Ritz hotel in Paris, and took over Harrods. However, in 2010, he sold Harrods.