Mohamed al-Fayed – live: Harrods boss ruled over toxic, abusive culture, says lawyer

Mohamed al-Fayed – live: Harrods boss ruled over toxic, abusive culture, says lawyer
Mohamed Al Fayed has been accused of rape by 5 woman
Mohamed Al Fayed has been accused of rape by 5 woman (AFP via Getty Images)

Harrods was a toxic, unsafe and abusive environment under the chairmanship of Mohamed Al Fayed, a US lawyer has claimed.

Gloria Allred told journalists that allegations against the former owner, who died last year, included serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery and sexual abuse of minors.

Other lawyers described him as “a monster” whose case involved the “most horrific elements of … Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein”.

Five women allege they were raped by the late Harrods owner, and at least 32 others allege sexual misconduct.

Barrister Dean Armstrong KC said the case combined “some of the most horrific elements of case involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein”.

He said the legal team had been retained by 37 accusers and was “in the process of being retained by many more”.

Harrods said it was “utterly appalled” by the allegations.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).

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Ritz Paris says staff must be treated with integrity

A spokeswoman for the Ritz Paris hotel, which Fayed owned, said: “The Ritz Paris strongly condemns any form of behaviour that does not align with the values of the establishment.

“The hotel upholds the highest standards of professionalism and has a steadfast commitment to fostering an environment where employees and guests are treated with respect and integrity.

“The safety and wellbeing of our employees and guests are our absolute priority.”

Jane Dalton20 September 2024 15:57

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Watch: Fayed case compared to Jimmy Savile as lawyers brand Harrods owner ‘monster’

Al Fayed case compared to Jimmy Savile as lawyers call Harrods owner ‘monster’
Jane Dalton20 September 2024 15:49

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Harrods ‘was toxic, unsafe and abusive environment under predator’

US lawyer Gloria Allred described Harrods as a “toxic, unsafe and abusive environment” under Fayed’s chairmanship.

She told reporters that the allegations against him included serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery and sexual abuse of minors.

Ms Allred said: “They involved doctors administering invasive gynaecological exams as a condition of employment for some of the employees who were targeted by Mohamed al-Fayed for sexual abuse.”

The allegations also include the unauthorised disclosure to him of the examination results of employees he targeted for sexual abuse, she said.

(REUTERS)
Jane Dalton20 September 2024 15:45

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At least 37 women now say they were attacked by Fayed

Dozens of women have now come forward to allege rape or sexual assault against the former Harrods owner.

Barrister Dean Armstrong said the legal team had been retained by 37 accusers and was “in the process of being retained by many more”.

In BBC documentary Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods, more than 20 female former employees told their stories as part of an investigation, including five who say they were raped.

Claims had previously been made but police had taken no action, it’s been reported.

But since the documentary, more women have spoken up.

Jane Dalton20 September 2024 15:16

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Fayed security chief threatened victim into denying complaint, barrister says

Mohammed Al Fayed’s former head of security told an alleged victim “someone could jump out the bushes at you” after she complained to Harrods about a sexual assault, lawyers have said.

Barrister Maria Mulla told journalists of a client who was threatened by ex-security chief and former Scotland Yard detective chief superintendent John Macnamara.

The barrister said: “One woman that we represent was sexually assaulted, and she had the bravery and courage to raise this in a formal written complaint to Harrods.

“On the same day of making this written complaint, the head of security, John Macnamara, contacted her and said: ‘You are a girl alone in London. Someone could jump out the bushes at you, or you could have a sudden accident.

“‘You need to deny what you have said in the first letter, with a second letter, which you must drop off before noon the following day.’

“She of course did what she was told because she was absolutely petrified.”

Mr Macnamara died at the age of 83 in September 2019.

Barrister Maria Mulla
Barrister Maria Mulla (REUTERS)
Jane Dalton20 September 2024 15:00

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We’re sad, says Fulham manager

The manager of Fulham says the football club was sad to hear the allegations about its owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

Marco Silva, when asked about the BBC documentary containing the rape and sex assault claims, said: “I haven’t watched it [the documentary]. I have had a conversation with Carmelo [Mifsud, the press officer], and of course the club have put a statement out. It’s always important for the club to put a statement out.

“From myself, and I’m speaking on behalf of the football club, it is really sad for us to hear. But there’s nothing more from me. The statement from the club was clear.”

Marco Silva
Marco Silva (PA Wire)
Jane Dalton20 September 2024 14:44

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Fulham FC investigating whether any victims at football club

Fulham Football Club have shared a statement after lawyers investigating allegations of sexual abuse by the club’s former owner Mohammad Al Fayed warned there could be victims “wherever he went”.

A Fulham FC spokesperson said: “We are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports following yesterday’s documentary. We have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences.

“We are in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected. Should any person wish to share information or experiences relating to these allegations, we encourage them to contact the club at safeguardingfulhamfc.com or the police.”

Andy Gregory20 September 2024 13:38

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Full report: Mohamed Al Fayed ‘combined most horrific parts of Savile, Epstein and Weinstein’

Barristers representing the alleged victims of Mohamed Al Fayed have said the case “combines some of the most horrific elements of the cases involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein”.

The late Harrods’ owner was described as a “monster” during a press conference held by the legal team featured in the BBC documentary Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods.

You can read more in this report:

Andy Gregory20 September 2024 13:18

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Watch: Al Fayed case compared to Jimmy Savile as lawyers call Harrods owner ‘monster’

Al Fayed case compared to Jimmy Savile as lawyers call Harrods owner ‘monster’
Andy Gregory20 September 2024 12:59

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Barrister says compensation for victims would be ‘welcome’

Barrister Dean Armstrong KC said compensation from Harrods for women who have claimed sexual abuse against Mohamed Al Fayed would be “welcome”.

He said: “If Harrods feel that they ought to compensate women financially for what they’ve done and how they failed them, then of course that is something which we would welcome.

“But we are not going to sit here and accept any suggestion that we are only interested in money.

“This is about much, much, much more.”

Harrods’ current owners said they stood by a statement issued on Thursday which said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations of abuse, and have set up a page on its website inviting former employees to come forward if they have any allegations.

Andy Gregory20 September 2024 12:35

Source: independent.co.uk