More than 60 women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against the late Egyptian billionaire and former Harrods owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed, according to lawyers representing the accusers.
The revelations, which were brought to light by a BBC documentary last week, have sparked global outrage, adding Al-Fayed to the list of influential figures like Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who have faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
In a statement released on Friday, the legal team representing the survivors said, “The response has simply been enormous. We can confirm that we now represent 60 survivors as part of our claim, with more to come.”
They also noted that since the documentary aired, they have been contacted by individuals from various countries, indicating that the allegations against Al-Fayed may have a global reach.
“Our claim is becoming increasingly global in scope. We expected that anywhere Mohamed Al-Fayed went, the abuse would follow. Sadly, this has proven to be true. We are now in possession of credible evidence of abuse at other Al-Fayed properties and businesses, including Fulham Football Club,” the statement added.
The BBC documentary detailed accounts from several women who claimed that Al-Fayed, who passed away last year at the age of 94, raped and sexually assaulted them during his tenure as the owner of the luxury department store. Some of the alleged assaults are said to have occurred in his private apartments in London and at his properties in Paris, including the Ritz Hotel.
The women described a disturbing pattern of abuse, including a selection process for positions close to Al-Fayed. Once chosen, they were allegedly subjected to invasive gynecological examinations, the results of which were shared with Al-Fayed.
Those who tried to report the abuse were reportedly threatened by senior security staff, demoted, and subjected to false allegations until they had no choice but to leave Harrods.
British prosecutors have previously reviewed evidence against Al-Fayed on two separate occasions. In 2008, he was accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, and in 2013, he faced allegations of raping a woman.
In both cases, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded that there was no “realistic prospect of conviction” and decided not to press charges.
The recent allegations have shed light on the toxic work environment at Harrods during Al-Fayed’s ownership. Michael Ward, the current Managing Director of Harrods, acknowledged the toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, and fear that prevailed under Al-Fayed’s leadership.
However, he expressed his shock at the extent of the abuse, stating, “I was not aware of his criminality and abuse and am personally horrified by these revelations.”
Al-Fayed sold Harrods in 2010 to the investment arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund for a reported £1.5 billion ($2.2 billion). He was also the owner of Fulham Football Club.
As the legal team continues to gather more evidence, the number of survivors coming forward is expected to rise, further expanding the scope of the claims against the late businessman.
The allegations have reignited conversations around accountability and the protection of women in workplaces associated with powerful figures.
