Hundreds more sex-abuse victims of Mohamed Al Fayed could be out there, lawyers fear - after late Harrods boss was allowed to use luxury department store as a sex-trafficking centre
There could be hundreds more victims of Mohamed Al-Fayed after he was allowed to use Harrods as a sex trafficking centre for decades, lawyers have warned.
There could be hundreds more victims of Mohamed Al-Fayed after he was allowed to use Harrods as a sex trafficking centre for decades, lawyers have warned.
The late former boss of Harrods has been accused of dozens of sex attacks by at least 20 women who worked at the prestigious Knightsbridge department store.
Last night lawyers warn that the abuse exposed in the BBC Two documentary Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods is just the tip of the iceberg.
It looks like something that was going on for a long time involving a prolific sexual abuser...what weve seen so far is likely only the tip of the iceberg, Richard Meeran, partner at Leigh Day, said.
Mohamed Al Fayed is accused of raping multiple women during his time as Harrods owner from 1984 to 2010
Mohamed Al Fayed pictured with his wife Heini Wathen
The late former boss of Harrods has been accused of dozens of sex attacks by at least 20 women who worked at the prestigious Knightsbridge department store (pictured)
Some of Fayeds assaults are said to have been carried out at his Park Lane property in London
The late former boss of Harrods has been accused of dozens of sex attacks by at least 20 women who worked at the prestigious Knightsbridge department store
Weve got an iconic department store....and it appears to have been operated as a sex trafficking centre by this man with the knowledge of Harrods.
The legal firm is representing a victim who says she was raped and held against her will over a significant period while working at Harrods.
She was recruited to join the famous stores executive training programme but claims she did not receive any training and was instead subjected to sex attacks.
The woman and her legal team believe that there could be hundreds more survivors of similar abuse at Harrods between 1985 and 2010.
Calling for more victims to come forward, she said she hoped the utterly inspiring bravery of those who spoke out in the BBC programme would embolden other survivors.
Mohamed Al Fayed dons a Victoria emerald and diamond tiara as he launches Harrods New Year sale in 2001
Mohamed Al Fayed with the Queen in 1997. His business connections and charity work saw him mixing with high society despite his complaints about what he saw as establishment bias
Mohamed Al Fayed pictured with Princess Diana at the charity dinner for the Harefield Heart Unit held at Harrods in February 1996
Her lawyers say Harrods allegedly organised and concealed her and other womens trafficking which included setting up HIV tests and gynaecological exams with the help of doctors.
Young women were recruited, supposedly to work in so-called executive positions and were then transferred to various places and countries where they claim to have been subjected to depraved and prolonged sexual exploitation and abuse, Mr Meeran added.
They were told that they were going to be on an executive management programme and that appears to have just been a guise for their sexual exploitation by him.
It is utterly shocking that a British institution appears to have been operated in this way, he said.
Mr Meeran, the joint head of the firms international department, said the women had been dismally failed by Harrods which had a duty of care.
The allegations suggest other members of Harrods staff including security personnel and senior management either witnessed and facilitated, or failed to intervene or report, the abuse.
Leigh Day said it was in the early stages of examining whether there are sufficient grounds for a public inquiry and if a claim could be made against the Metropolitan Police who some survivors reported abuse to.
Emma Jones, also a partner at the firm, added: We are considering whether there should be wider inquiries to ensure that any and all agencies, including the Metropolitan Police, that might have had contact with the survivors or knowledge of this horrendous abuse dealt with the allegations properly and thoroughly.
It is of utmost importance to our client that those who had the opportunity to report or stop abuse be investigated.
The BBC investigation revealed how the billionaire would roam the prestigious department store looking for his next victim who he would then attempt to abuse.
A new BBC documentary says the Egyptian-born businessman - who died in London aged 94 last August - was a serial sex attacker
As many as nine women were attacked at his property in Paris where they were taken under the guise of work trips.
One victim said that Harrods had delivered them to the alleged sex attacker like lambs to the slaughter.
I had not even thought to ask where we were staying because surely Harrods would have booked us a hotel room and ensure our safety...Not delivered us like lambs to the slaughter to Al-Fayeds home, she told the BBC.
Those who dared speak out were forced to sign NDAs and handover any evidence to be shredded.
Lawyer Dean Armstrong KC told the BBC that the spiders web of abuse was unbelievable, adding: There had clearly been an attempt by the senior people at Harrods to sweep this under the carpet.
Mr Armstrong is part of a team of lawyers including Bruce Drummond and Maria Mulla who have been representing numerous survivors.
The group, which is believed to have already been contacted by several new victims, fears there could be more yet to come forward and has set up the website.
They have also enlisted the support of American attorney Gloria Allred, a leading womens rights advocate, who worked on the high-profile cases of Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein and R Kelly.
Harrods said in a statement that it was utterly appalled by the allegations adding: These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power...and we condemn them in the strongest terms.
We also acknowledge that during this time as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.
