Mohamed Al Fayed timeline as 400 come forward as victims of former Harrods owner

A string of allegations has been made against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed. More than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct, including harassment and rape, that spanned a total of more than 30 years.

The floodgates opened when more than 20 women told a BBC documentary in September how the Egyptian billionaire, who died last year aged 94, groomed and assaulted them while employed at the luxury department store.

It’s been alleged that Al Fayed, who owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010, abused female staff at several places he owned, such as his London apartment, Fulham FC, the Ritz Hotel Paris, and Harrods.

A short timeline of allegations against Al Fayed

In 1995, Vanity Fair published an article which aimed to expose Al Fayed as a serial abuser and racist. It’s claimed Al Fayed would walk into his Harrods store looking for young, attractive women to work in his office. Once employed by Al Fayed, these women would be spied on, chased around the office and money stuffed down their blouses.

In 1997, Vanity Fair shut down its investigation into Al Fayed following the death of his son who was killed in a car crash with his girlfriend, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Later on, in 1997, four women alleged on TV they were groped and guaranteed rewards in return for sex by Al Fayed, who said these allegations were “outrageous and untrue”.

In 2008, Al Fayed denied allegations of indecent assault made by a 15-year-old girl who was employed at Harrods. She said Al Fayed would force himself on her and kiss her. Following this allegation, Al Fayed agreed to an interview with the police.

In 2009, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to prosecute Al Fayed due to conflicting evidence. The same happened again in 2013 when a woman came forward alleging Al Fayed raped her, but no charges were brought against him.

In 2015, the police reinvestigated the rape allegation from 2013, and the CPS decided not to prosecute Al Fayed.

Two years later, in 2017, three women made assault and sexual harassment claims against Al Fayed. One of the women claimed Al Fayed grabbed her arms and kissed her in his apartment and another woman was forced to undergo an STI check and forcefully asked to sleep with him.

From 2018 to 2023, the CPS offered the Metropolitan Police early investigative advice regarding Al Fayed in the years 2018, 2021, and 2023, however, full evidence was never received for these occasions and the police took no further action. In 2023, Harrods started to settle claims with women who came forward with claims of sexual abuse against Al Fayed.

In August 2023, Al Fayed died in London. A year later, the BBC aired its documentary where women made claims against Al Fayed ranging from sexual assault to rape.

Harrods told the BBC it is now in the process of settling more than 290 claims for compensation brought by victims of Al Fayed.

Harrods’ response to abuse allegations against Al Fayed

Harrods said in a statement they are “utterly appalled” at the allegations of abuse against Al Fayed.

They said: “We acknowledge that during this time his victims were failed and for this we sincerely apologise.”

Michael Ward, the managing director of Harrods since 2005 has personally apologised for the sexual abuse allegations against Al Fayed, who he worked alongside until 2010. Mr Ward previously stated he did not know about the abuse but admits there were “public” rumours of Al Fayed’s behaviour.

‘The World’s Leading Luxury Department Store’ today is said to be a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed. Harrods states it is their priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible.

Civil options for survivors

Bolt Burdon Kemp is committed to supporting survivors of abuse in obtaining the compensation they deserve.

Survivors can pursue compensation through the civil process for the harm caused to them by Mohamed Al Fayed.

Anyone who has suffered abuse can contact David McClenaghan, a BBK partner in the Abuse Team, directly for free, no-obligation, advice about their rights.

You are not alone, and it’s never too late to seek help.