LONDON. Lawyers representing 37 women who have accused the late billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed of sexual assault described him as a “monster” whose alleged crimes were “enabled” by the prestigious Harrods department store. The allegations, which have surfaced since Al Fayed died in 2023 at the age of 94, have ignited a scandal that now implicates the iconic store he once owned.
In a press briefing in London on Friday, barrister Dean Armstrong, who represents the women, stated that Al Fayed engaged in a “vast web of abuse.” According to Armstrong, the former Harrods owner’s behavior was facilitated by the very institution he ran. “This is and was a systematic failure of corporate responsibility,” Armstrong said. “And that failure lies squarely on the shoulders of Harrods.”
The legal claim, which has been brought against Harrods, accuses the department store of knowing about Al Fayed’s alleged actions and failing to act. “This is a case of an abject failure to provide a safe system of work for employees,” Armstrong added, implying that the store’s management turned a blind eye to the misconduct.
The allegations against Al Fayed, which include “serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and the abuse of minors,” echo other high-profile cases of abuse involving prominent figures. Armstrong and his legal team compared the case to that of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, and Jimmy Savile, a British television personality revealed posthumously to have been a prolific sexual offender.
A Culture of Silence
Bruce Drummond, another barrister involved in the case, described it as “one of the worst cases of corporate sexual exploitation that certainly I, and perhaps the world, has ever seen.” He criticized the culture of silence that surrounded Al Fayed during his time as the owner of Harrods, suggesting that the power and prestige of the store shielded him from accountability.
The allegations stem from incidents that allegedly occurred while Al Fayed owned Harrods, which he sold in 2010, as well as during his ownership of Fulham Football Club from 1997 to 2013. Following the release of a BBC documentary detailing the accusations, Fulham Football Club expressed its concern, stating in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “We are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports following yesterday’s documentary. We have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences.”
The club also confirmed it is investigating whether anyone associated with Fulham had been affected by the alleged abuse during Al Fayed’s ownership.
A High-Profile Life Shrouded in Controversy
Mohamed Al Fayed, originally from Egypt, was a larger-than-life figure in Britain’s business and social scenes. His ownership of Harrods, one of the world’s most iconic department stores, brought him immense wealth and notoriety. However, his life was marked by controversy, including his involvement in the tragic death of his son, Dodi Fayed, who died alongside Princess Diana in a high-speed car crash in Paris in 1997.
While Al Fayed’s public life was well-documented, the revelations about his alleged private misconduct have shocked many. The accusations suggest that Al Fayed used his power and influence to prey on vulnerable women, taking advantage of the protection afforded to him by his status.
The legal team now pushing for justice on behalf of his alleged victims is demanding accountability from Harrods, where many of the incidents are said to have occurred. “Harrods must take responsibility for the system that enabled Al Fayed’s monstrous behavior,” Armstrong said, adding that the victims deserve compensation and recognition for the trauma they endured.
As the investigation continues, both Fulham Football Club and Harrods have stated they are cooperating with authorities. Harrods, under new ownership since 2010, has yet to release a formal statement addressing the specific allegations against Al Fayed.
This case adds to the growing list of high-profile sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the business and entertainment worlds, sparking renewed calls for better protections for employees and harsher penalties for those who enable such behavior.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
