At least 37 women have come forward with allegations of rape and sexual assault against Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, who passed away just over a year ago.
Al Fayed, who controlled the iconic London department store from 1985 to 2010, is accused of using his power to abuse women throughout his tenure.
In response to these allegations, Harrods has released a statement condemning the actions of its former chairman and acknowledging the failings of the past. “We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed. 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. We are doing everything we can to fix this.”
Harrods noted that it is now a “very different organisation” compared to the one controlled by Al Fayed, stating that the welfare of employees is central to its values today. The store has made it a priority to settle claims as swiftly as possible for women affected by the alleged abuse.
“Since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved,” the statement continued. “This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees.”
“While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.”
The store has set up a process for current and former employees to report any incidents involving Al Fayed. Those who wish to share information or make a claim can do so through a formal process, with Harrods stating that all complaints will be handled discreetly and with the welfare of the individual as a priority.
For anyone affected by the issues raised, additional support is available via the UK government’s Sexual Abuse Support service at https://sexualabusesupport.campaign.gov.uk or by calling 0808 500 2222.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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