Investigations of sexual abuse by Mohammed Al Fayed date back to 2009

Over the weekend, dozens of women have come forward making allegations of abuse by Fayed or offering information to support the claims. This comes after it has been reported that allegations against Fayed were made as early as 2009.

Police officers presented the Crown Prosecution Service with evidence against Fayed in 2009 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2023.   The CPS twice considered bringing charges against Fayed but concluded that, “there was no realistic prospect of a conviction.”

Fayed died last year at the age of 94. He bought Harrods in 1985 and sold it in 2010. The department’s new owners have already reached financial settlements with ex-employees, and it is reported that they are accepting liability for the actions of Fayed and there will not be a non-disclosure agreement attached to any settlement reached.

Harrods have stated that: “Since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible. This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees.

While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.”

Abuse by a person in a position of power is sadly not unusual. We support the view that the Deputy Prime Minister voiced on Sunday, “I think there's a lot of work that needs to be done to make sure that nobody is above the law and can hide in plain sight.”

Read our previous blog here: Mohamed al Fayed, former Harrods owner accused of sexual abuse