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Two women who allege they were abused by the late Mohamed Al Fayed, former owner of Harrods, have called for those they believe enabled his actions to be held accountable. Multiple accusations have surfaced against Al Fayed, involving rape and sexual assault over several decades. Speaking to BBC London under the pseudonym Sarah, one survivor emphasized the need for a public inquiry to uncover how Al Fayed was able to groom young women openly during his time at the luxury department store.
Sarah recounted her experience starting when she was just 18, describing how what initially seemed like generosity—being asked if she had a boyfriend, given money to spend on work clothes, and told to select an expensive handbag charged to the chairman’s account—was actually part of a calculated grooming process. Another woman, named Jane for anonymity, shared similar experiences of being singled out from the shop floor to work closely with Al Fayed, including uncomfortable medical examinations such as invasive cervical smear tests. Both women described how the abuse began subtly, with inappropriate hugs and kisses on the cheek, then escalated to feelings of fear and discomfort about entering Al Fayed’s office.
Despite raising concerns about Al Fayed’s behaviour with Harrods staff at the time, both survivors said their complaints were dismissed or minimized. Sarah described being told, “you silly girl. Why did you let this happen?” while Jane was reassured that rumours were untrue and warned not to discuss the matter further. She said, “I felt so trapped and so unsure of how to handle the situation that I just didn’t know what to do.” The survivors insisted that the system in place at Harrods failed to protect them and allowed Al Fayed’s misconduct to continue unchecked.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that 154 victims have come forward reporting a range of offences including sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. So far, they have interviewed three women and one man under caution, and the investigation has expanded to include allegations of human trafficking. Harrods has acknowledged more than 220 survivors engaged with its now-closed compensation scheme, with payments made to over 70 individuals. While the police inquiry’s wider scope has been welcomed by survivors, frustration remains over the slow pace of progress. Survivor Sarah wants a public inquiry to give victims a stronger voice and promote transparency, whereas Jane is skeptical that a public inquiry would lead to meaningful accountability, fearing powerful figures may remain protected. Both hope for a thorough investigation to hold accountable those who enabled Al Fayed’s abuse
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