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Allegations of Sexual Assault Against Former Harrods Executive Ali Fayed
The surviving brother of late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, Ali Fayed, has been accused of sexual assault by three women who were former employees of the iconic department store. These allegations span back to the 1990s when Mohamed and his brothers were at the helm of Harrods.
In interviews with the BBC, the three women recounted their experiences, claiming that the alleged assaults occurred after they had already faced harassment from Mohamed Al Fayed.
A representative for Ali Fayed, who resides in the United States, adamantly refuted the allegations, stating that he “unequivocally denies any and all allegations of wrongdoing” and insists that “the incidents simply never took place.”
The women, feeling unable to come forward earlier, shared that the reported assaults took place in various locations including London, Scotland, Switzerland, and the United States.
One of the women, identified as Frances, detailed a troubling encounter in which Ali Fayed allegedly attempted to kiss her in his office and later groped her. She claimed that during a trip to Connecticut in 1992, related to interior design discussions with his wife, Ali Fayed assaulted her while she was staying at their residence in the Scottish Highlands. According to her recounting, when she stepped out of the bathroom in her underwear, he was in the guest room, leading to an aggressive advance that was only interrupted by a call from one of his children.
Frances described feeling “frozen” in the aftermath of the event, indicating the profound emotional impact it had on her.
Ali Fayed’s spokesperson reiterated his stance, declaring that he is “not a perpetrator” and will “robustly defend himself against these unsubstantiated claims.”
Another accuser, Amy, described an incident in Switzerland where Ali Fayed allegedly groped her while they were at a swimming pool. She expressed feelings of entrapment and fear during the encounter, revealing the psychological toll such experiences have on victims.
The third woman, named Laura, explained that she was subjected to a significant sexual assault at Ali Fayed’s apartment after being sent on a work-related errand by Mohamed Al Fayed. During the visit, Ali Fayed allegedly provided her with gifts and then directed her into a bedroom where she was assaulted, leaving her feeling “numbed with fear” and compelled to comply with his demands just to escape the situation.
As these allegations are emerging, details indicate that a total of 111 women have made accusations against Mohamed Al Fayed. The Metropolitan Police are currently reviewing 21 allegations that were reported prior to Al Fayed’s death in 2023, with two cases being referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The three women pursuing legal action against Harrods are working with the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, which represents numerous individuals claiming to have experienced abuse related to the Al Fayed family. A spokesperson for the group highlighted that the allegations suggest a broader pattern of misconduct involving individuals beyond Mohamed Al Fayed.
In response to the new allegations, Harrods acknowledged the seriousness of the claims, remarking on the “breadth of abuse” associated with Mohamed Al Fayed and underscoring the need for accountability. The statement emphasized the inability of the store to speak on behalf of Ali Fayed, indicating that he should address these allegations directly.
Source
www.theguardian.com