Mohammed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods in London, is now accused by 37 women, including six Americans, of sexual assault, and in some cases, rape. The women, who worked at Harrods, detailed their experiences in a BBC documentary and news conference, with lawyer Gloria Allred describing “systematic trafficking of women for sexual gratification.” Al Fayed allegedly subjected his female staff to unwanted physical contact, with one woman describing multiple instances of sexual assault, and attempted rape by Al Fayed. Several women spoke out following his death last year, with allegations including serial rape, invasion of privacy, and abuse of power. Harrods, now owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, condemned the allegations against Al Fayed and has offered settlements to victims.
One victim, Sophia Stone, described in detail the abuse she endured while working for Al Fayed, which included inappropriate physical contact and attempted rape. Al Fayed, known for his connections to the royal family, was described as a controlling figure who created a culture of secrecy at Harrods. The victims’ lawyers, including Allred and Maria Mulla, are considering filing lawsuits against Harrods on behalf of the victims.
Allegations against Al Fayed date back to the 1990s, and the recent claims have sparked public outrage and further investigations. Future legal actions are being considered as more victims come forward with similar experiences of abuse and exploitation at the hands of Al Fayed.
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