Harrods’ security ‘knew’ about Mohamed al Fayed’s conduct towards women

An ex-director of Harrods stated that he cannot comprehend how the store’s security “wouldn’t have known” about Mohamed al Fayed’s conduct towards women. Five women have claimed Fayed raped them, and several others have alleged sexual misconduct. Fayed passed away last year at the age of 94. A legal team for the alleged victims confirmed on Saturday morning they have “had over 150 new inquiries” following a BBC documentary on Fayed.

The former Harrods director, who reported directly to Fayed, mentioned, “Security was everywhere, all phones and offices were bugged, and cameras were omnipresent.” He attributed it to paranoia, wanting to ensure he was getting his due. He described Fayed as someone who pitted everyone against each other, including directors. Access to Fayed’s offices required an appointment, which was meticulously arranged by personal assistants. The ex-director noted that Fayed surrounded himself with many blonde PAs, thinking he preferred to have pretty women around him.

Families of two eight-year-old girls killed in the Wimbledon school crash criticised the decision not to charge the driver. The former Harrods director, who spoke anonymously, described the workplace culture as toxic. He said employees kept their heads down and did not help each other due to Fayed’s attempts to catch everyone out. Fayed often made fun of people publicly, finding it amusing.

Former #Harrods boss accused of multiple rapes by staff

5 #women say they were raped by late Mohamed Al Fayed while working at the famous #London department store

– Mohamed Al Fayed was a #monster, a #sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever, says one of the #women#BBC pic.twitter.com/QFed27KzPa

— Maqsood Asi (@MaqsoodAsi) September 19, 2024

Tom Bower, who authored an unauthorised biography of Fayed in 1998, called Fayed a “gangster, a monster, and a major crook,” using intimidation against women and witnesses alike. He described Harrods as Fayed’s “hunting ground.”

Harrods expressed being “utterly appalled” by the abuse allegations and apologised to the alleged victims. The store has created a webpage inviting former employees to come forward with any allegations.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended Sir Keir Starmer after it was revealed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) chose not to charge Fayed while Starmer was director of public prosecutions. The CPS considered charges against Fayed in 2009 and 2015 but found no “realistic prospect of a conviction.” Phillipson stated that tackling violence against women was a “personal priority” for Starmer during his tenure from 2008 to 2013.

Downing Street clarified that Starmer did not handle Fayed’s case, and it “did not cross his desk.” The CPS provided early advice to the Metropolitan Police in 2018, 2021, and 2023 following allegations against Fayed, but no full file of evidence was received, and no further action was taken.

Former Victims’ Commissioner Dame Vera Baird criticised the CPS for only taking “cases they could win,” calling the organisation “a den of negativity” for sexual offence allegations. She accused the CPS of prioritising their conviction rate over helping victims. Baird also suggested that the treatment of women by the CPS might have influenced their decision not to press charges against Fayed.

Dame Vera defended Starmer for his proactive approach to violence against women during his time as director of public prosecutions, noting that the CPS was the first government organisation to have a violence against women and girls strategy. She highlighted Starmer’s initiation of a report to move away from myths about prosecutions and sex offences, which was a significant step forward.