Harrods to investigate if present staff involved in alleged abuse

Harrods is investigating whether any present staff were involved in the alleged sexual abuse of dozens of women by Mohamed Al Fayed.

Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed in London in 2007. Picture: AFP

Harrods is investigating whether any of its present staff were involved in the alleged sexual abuse of dozens of women by its former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed, over more than two decades.

The department store is in direct contact with London’s Metropolitan Police, having opened an internal review into whether the Egyptian businessman’s colleagues played any role in the ­attacks. Victims have said that Fayed relied on staff at the Knightsbridge shop to help him to “cherry pick” young women and facilitate his sexual abuse.

More than 100 women, many of whom worked for Fayed, have said that they were raped and sexually assaulted. Lawyers representing victims have said that there was a “machinery” surrounding Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, that allowed him to carry out dozens of alleged attacks without ever facing justice.

Victims have described being subjected to intrusive medical ­examinations as well as being threatened by security staff and lawyers working for Fayed if they sought to raise concerns. One victim has said that a senior Harrods manager who still works there failed to investigate after she complained about being sexually assaulted by Fayed in 2008.

After allegations emerged in a BBC documentary last week, Harrods acknowledged that it had failed its employees and described Fayed as an “individual who was intent on abusing his power”.

Bruce Drummond, a barrister representing a group of victims, said that Michael Ward, the long-serving managing director of Harrods, had questions to answer.

Mr Ward, 68, was appointed by Fayed in 2005, before Harrods was bought by Qatar via its Qatar Investment Authority in 2010 for £1.5bn. Harrods said that Mr Ward, who was paid £2.1m last year, would not be involved in its settlement scheme for victims after it agreed to offer compensation to Fayed’s victims.

Mr Drummond said: “Michael Ward should be clear on what he knew when and should have nothing to do with liaising with victims today. It’s a complete conflict of interest for Harrods to say they have an internal process in place to deal with this scandal. They have known for years about the systematic abuse that took place and only chose to half-heartedly act when they knew the accusations were going to be made public.

“Harrods cannot be marking their own homework. They are trying to whitewash this whole process. If they are serious about righting the wrongs of the past they should provide the survivors with independent counsel.”

Harrods said: “As part of our due diligence there is an ongoing internal review, supported by external counsel, including looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly. In addition, the Harrods board has established a non-executive committee of the board to further consider the issues. Harrods is also in direct communication with the Metropolitan Police to ensure we are offering our assistance.”

THE TIMES