Mohamed Al Fayed, the late Egyptian billionaire and former owner of Harrods, has been accused of rape and sexual assault by over 20 women in a bombshell BBC documentary and podcast.
The claims come nearly a year after Al Fayed’s death at age 94 in September, and they paint a disturbing picture of abuse spanning decades.
The new documentary, titled Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, alleges that at least five of the accusations involve rape, with the remainder involving other forms of sexual assault. According to the documentary, many of the victims were former employees of Al Fayed during his time as the owner of the world-renowned Harrods department store in London.
A legacy under fire
Mohamed Al Fayed, known for his wealth and influence, was the father of Dodi Al Fayed, who tragically died alongside Princess Diana in a 1997 car crash in Paris. But now, the spotlight has shifted from his public legacy to these serious allegations of abuse. The accusations, made by former employees, claim that the assaults took place across Al Fayed’s properties in London, Paris, St. Tropez, and Abu Dhabi.
According to the BBC investigation, the alleged assaults were not just limited to one location. The victims describe a pattern of abuse across multiple properties, with some accusing Harrods of covering up the misconduct during Al Fayed’s tenure. “The spider’s web of corruption and abuse in this company was unbelievable and very dark,” Bruce Drummond, a lawyer representing several of the women, told the BBC.
A predator behind closed doors
One of the most damning testimonies comes from a woman who worked as Al Fayed’s assistant from 1988 to 1991. She claims that Al Fayed attempted to rape her on multiple occasions.
“He was vile,” she stated. Expressing her anger, she criticized Netflix’s portrayal of Al Fayed in the series The Crown, which presented him as a charming and loyal figure. “People shouldn’t remember him like that. It’s not how he was,” she added.
Another survivor described Al Fayed as “a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever,” echoing the sentiments of several others who spoke out in the documentary.
Harrods’ response
Following the release of these explosive claims, Harrods’ current owners issued a formal apology, expressing their shock and dismay at the allegations. “We are utterly appalled by these revelations, and we apologize sincerely to all those who were failed during that time,” the company said in a statement, underscoring that they had no connection to the events alleged to have taken place under Al Fayed’s ownership.
A long history of accusations
While Al Fayed had faced sexual assault claims during his lifetime, the scale and severity of these new allegations are unprecedented. The BBC documentary suggests that the number of victims may be even higher, with additional women coming forward after the initial report was published.
“These are not isolated incidents,” said Drummond. “The level of cover-up and systemic abuse goes much deeper than anyone could have imagined.”
As the documentary continues to gain international attention, the legacy of Mohamed Al Fayed—a man once synonymous with power and luxury—is now being reexamined through the lens of the horrific experiences of his alleged victims.