Former Harrods employee Catherine has spoken out against ex-boss Mohamed Al Fayed, claiming that when she complained about his inappropriate behaviour, her line manager “brushed it off.” Catherine’s revelation comes days after other women accused the late billionaire of sexual assault. Backing up more than 20 other women who’ve spoken to the BBC, Catherine says that there was collusion within Harrods enabling Fayed’s behaviour to continue and raise questions about those who knew but did nothing.
Catherine’s experience happened when she was only 21 and working in Harrods’ flagship store in London. She had been asked to bring store musicians to Fayed’s office, an experience which then led to Fayed making the types of “uncomfortable” advances others have reported. Her line manager dismissed her complaint and, as part of a pattern of behaviour and culture at Harrods, enabled Fayed’s alleged abuse.
Lawyers for the 37 women making separate civil legal claims against Harrods say that they find it inconceivable that the department store’s current owners were not aware of any allegations against Fayed prior to 2023, and suggest that proper due diligence checks would have been conducted before the purchase of the business in 2010. Lawyers allege that Fayed’s assaults also took place worldwide- in Canada, France, Malaysia, Dubai and in the US.
Catherine’s testimony calls for those who colluded with Fayed to be identified and questioned regarding their actions. She had only shared her experience to back up the rising number of allegations. However, her comments, echoed by others, suggest those in the knowledge did nothing for the young girls knowingly placed into a “total nightmare.
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