Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, has been accused of sexual assault by a woman known as Melanie who says she was invited to his London flat for a work meeting. Melanie believes police were close to arresting him over her allegations just days before he died in August 2023. An investigation by the BBC has revealed that more than 20 women have come forward saying they were sexually assaulted by the billionaire, with five stating they were raped. Melanie is one of several additional ex-Harrods employees to have reported being attacked since the release of the documentary and podcast Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods.
The BBC investigation found that during Fayed’s ownership of the store, Harrods not only neglected to intervene, but helped to cover-up abuse allegations. Melanie’s testimony emerges alongside new details of failed efforts by police and prosecutors to hold Fayed accountable during his life. Legal representatives for many of the women speaking out will be outlining their next steps at a news conference on Friday.
Several other former Harrods employees have recounted how Fayed allegedly targeted them, describing him as a predator who abused his position to prey on staff and used his power to stop them from speaking out. Some said he would tour his department store and choose young female assistants to work with him in his private office. Interviews with ex-staff suggest that his behaviour became an open secret at the store.
The UK legal team representing many of the women featured in the BBC’s documentary are expected to hold a news conference on Friday that will detail the case against Harrods. Fourteen of the women have already brought civil claims against the store’s current owners for damages. Harrods apologised to its former staff after the BBC investigation was published, saying it had a process for victims of attacks to make complaints. The Met encourages victims to report allegations and says it is committed to investigating sexual offences
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