Latest news with #AlFayed
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Youngest son of disgraced billionaire Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed reveals he ran away to sea to escape his father and claims we treat the Earth 'like he treated women'
The youngest son of Mohamed Al Fayed has revealed he ran away to sea to avoid his father's grip - despite being poised to take over Harrods. Omar Al Fayed, 37, said he fled to a research ship at the age of just 22 - leaving his billionaire father convinced he had been kidnapped. He joined the crew of the Heraclitus, a boat that was built in the 1970s by Californian environmentalists, and had carried out research on oceans across the world. Omar told The Sunday Times: 'I told him exactly where I was going. I just don't think he believed me. And I was completely out of touch in the middle of the ocean.' 'I stuck it out a Harrods for as long as I could. I literally jumped ship. It was not just a cultural upbringing, generational thing. 'It genuinely was a personal difference in our approach to reality.' Police now believe Al Fayed, who died last year aged 94, may have raped and abused more than 111 women over nearly four decades. This would make the billionaire Harrods tycoon one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders. Five brave survivors alleged in a BBC documentary that they had to barricade doors with chairs to get away from former Harrods boss Al Fayed. Former employees said he would fly them to Paris under the guise of a work trip, take away their passports and put them in hotel rooms without locks. Chilling claims say he monitored them with CCTV in their own homes, phone tapping and he threatened their families if they ever dared to speak out about the abuse. BBC journalists looking into his predatory history gathered the stories of more than 20 women who said they had been abused by him, and 'up to 200' more have come forward since. Omar, a lifelong environmentalist, has now said he believes business and industry treats the planet like his father treated women. He also commended the bravery of the women who came forward accusing Al Fayed of sexual assault. 'I am horrified and deeply concerned by the allegations recently brought to light against my late father,' he said when the allegations emerged in September. 'The extent and explicit nature of the allegations are shocking and has thrown into question, the loving memory I had of him', Sky News reported. 'How this matter could have been concealed for so long and in so many ways, raises further disturbing questions.' He said that he loved his father 'very much' and he was a 'wonderful dad'. But he added 'that aspect of our relationship... does not blind me from an objective assessment of circumstances'. He said he stood 'unequivocally in support of any legitimate investigation into these allegations. 'I will continue to support the principles of truth, justice, accountability, and fairness, regardless of where that journey may lead. No one is above the law.' Omar, the youngest of Fayed's four children with his second wife, Finnish model Heini Wathen, previously conceded that his father was an 'old-school chauvinist'. He told friends: 'Perhaps he was like an older version of Donald Trump.' Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, said in a statement that it is clear Al Fayed 'presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct'. Mr Ward, who worked for Al Fayed for four years, said he was 'not aware of his criminality and abuse' and described it as a 'shameful period in the business' history'. He said an independent review was underway into issues arising from the allegations and that he had 'provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues'.
The Guardian
03-04-2025
- The Guardian
Delivered to a Predator: Al Fayed's Fixer review – this startling tale urgently needed telling
It is disturbingly easy to respond with little more than fatigue to reports of powerful men sexually exploiting women, because there have been so many. The part of us that should emit shock, disgust and righteous outrage becomes dulled through overuse. And so, when Mohamed Al Fayed, the billionaire former owner of Harrods, died in 2023 and was then credibly accused of being one of Britain's worst sex offenders, the collective reaction felt like a shrug. The new Dispatches investigation, Delivered to a Predator: Al Fayed's Fixer, however, ought to sharpen our revulsion and our resolve to fight for change. Building on the 2017 Dispatches documentary Behind Closed Doors and the 2024 BBC programme Predator at Harrods, it outlines the scale of the tycoon's wrongdoing: last year, the Metropolitan police said it believed Al Fayed may have raped or abused at least 111 women and girls, but here a lawyer working for survivors estimates the number to be more like 300. Dispatches has spoken to 16 victims and witnesses, mainly former Harrods staff, many of whom give their testimony in public for the first time. The rawness of the survivors' interviews, blameless individuals trembling as they describe a trauma that has redefined their whole lives, is a reminder that one case would be one too many – but their stories match. They allege that Harrods' working culture was one where young, usually blond employees were regularly manoeuvred into situations where they found themselves alone with the organisation's chair, and either felt obliged to allow him to molest them, or were raped. A picture emerges of a workplace where the boss's interest in young women was an open secret. Everyone could see women who fitted the same aesthetic profile being fast-tracked to particular roles, or sent on errands that involved visiting Al Fayed's offices on Park Lane, but nobody quite knew what was happening next and, if they did have suspicions, they felt powerless to speak out. It is a profoundly upsetting story of money buying impunity, but Dispatches makes a further claim about the logistics that is even more startling. It involves a name unknown the day before broadcast, but will be familiar to millions by the time you read this: Kelly Walker-Duncalf. Walker-Duncalf, it is alleged, was the woman who made it possible for Al Fayed to prey on women. She joined Harrods in 1997 at the age of 19 and, a few years later, was running a department called 'store approvals', which meant she vetted new staff. Every contributor here describes her as an untouchable Al Fayed acolyte who had influence far exceeding her job description: Walker-Duncalf was 'the second-most important person in Harrods', according to one interviewee. 'She had a degree of power that nobody else in the store had.' The women who say they were abused by Al Fayed allege that they were brought to his attention by Walker-Duncalf: she either directly recruited them or identified them as employees who should be given an audience with the owner. One former Harrods worker says she had Polaroids of female employees pinned up on a board. But the contention that Walker-Duncalf abetted Al Fayed goes beyond the practicalities. The alleged victims say the presence of a woman, during the initial phase when being showered with gifts or given an inexplicable promotion, caused them to feel bewildered, or made them more likely to ignore the voice in their head that was telling them to run. It is further alleged that Walker-Duncalf would scout for young women not just on the Harrods shop floor but outside the organisation, and even beyond Al Fayed's ownership of Harrods; and that on occasion she would literally deliver his victims to him. One interviewee, Francesca, says she met Walker-Duncalf through a mutual friend in London in 2013, three years after Al Fayed sold Harrods. She says Walker-Duncalf told her that Al Fayed was looking for a new PA, then took her to meet him, an encounter that began with Francesca apparently being given the job – the deal sealed with an envelope full of cash – and ended with her being raped. Reporting for Dispatches, Cathy Newman tracks Walker-Duncalf down to Jersey and reaches her by phone, apparently coming close to scoring an interview. Their meeting never happens, with Walker-Duncalf instead issuing a statement via her lawyer, denying that she enabled or facilitated any of Al Fayed's crimes. It is not suggested that Walker-Duncalf was aware of his abuse. The inevitable new police investigation will have to provide a final answer to that; for now, this programme has made an invaluable contribution to the story of Mohamed Al Fayed, a horrifying tale that urgently needs to be told in full. Delivered to a Predator: Al Fayed's Fixer is on Channel 4 now
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
Al Fayed estate faces legal action from alleged victims
Five alleged victims of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed are planning to launch legal action against the late billionaire's estate, solicitors say. The BBC understands this is the first time the Al Fayed estate has been notified of claims of this kind since allegations of abuse were broadcast in a BBC documentary last year. Three of the women worked for the late billionaire and former owner of Harrods as nannies and two as private air stewards between 1995 and 2012. They were between the ages of 18 and 30 when they say the abuse occurred. The Fladgate law firm, which represents the estate, has been contacted for comment. Leigh Day, the law firm representing the alleged victims, say the women were subjected to "serious sexual abuse, harassment and mistreatment". Some allege they were threatened when they tried to raise concerns or report the abuse. Previous claims have been brought against Harrods, the department store owned by Al Fayed until 2010. Richard Meeran, one of the partners working on the women's case, told the BBC: "It is important that his estate is also made legally accountable for the widespread abuse he perpetrated against those who may never have had dealings with the famous store." The women are pursuing compensation under a personal injury claim. The letters of claim, which have been sent to the representatives of Al Fayed's estate on the women's behalf, signify the first formal step in the civil legal process prior to the start of court proceedings. Since the documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods and podcast uncovered widespread allegations of abuse from former Harrods employees, the BBC has heard from close to 80 women who shared their own experiences. The earliest account of abuse heard by the BBC stretched as far back as 1977 and a number of women described being recruited by Al Fayed under false pretences before being sexually exploited by him. The Metropolitan Police have said more than 100 alleged victims have contacted them to say they were sexually abused by Al Fayed. They are currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations made before he died in 2023. A number of allegations were made against the businessman while he was still alive, but Al Fayed was never charged over rape and sexual assault allegations. In November, the Met announced an investigation into how it handled allegations relating to Al Fayed. Many of the women who have spoken to the BBC about their experiences have raised significant questions regarding how the predatory abuse they say they suffered was able to continue across numerous decades. The five women, being represented by Leigh Day, are also calling for an independent inquiry into the matter. 'He'd be enraged': Al Fayed abuse survivors on their friendship Mohamed Al Fayed: Timeline of sex abuse allegations How Fayed built a corrupt system of enablers to carry out his sexual abuse A spokesperson for Leigh Day added: "The letters are sent under the pre-action protocol for personal injury claims and mark the first formal step in the legal process prior to the commencement of court proceedings." In January, claims of abuse against Al Fayed and his brother Salah were heard in a UK court for the first time, in a civil case being brought against Harrods. Their only surviving brother, Ali Fayed, has also been accused of sexual assault by former employees of the department store. A spokesperson for Mr Fayed, who lives in the US, said previously that he unequivocally denied any and all the allegations of wrongdoing, adding that "the incidents simply never took place". Harrods' new owners have previously said they are "appalled" by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether any current members of staff were involved. In November, the Met said it was investigating at least five people it believes may have assisted or enabled Al Fayed's alleged sexual offences. If you have information about this story that you would like to share please get in touch. Email MAFinvestigation@ Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. Mohamed Al Fayed accused of multiple rapes by staff Watchdog to review police handling of Al Fayed abuse claims Al Fayed's brother Salah also abused us, women say
BBC News
31-03-2025
- BBC News
Mohamed Al Fayed estate faces legal action from alleged victims
Five alleged victims of abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed are planning to launch legal action against the late billionaire's estate, solicitors BBC understands this is the first time the Al Fayed estate has been notified of claims of this kind since allegations of abuse were broadcast in a BBC documentary last of the women worked for the late billionaire and former owner of Harrods as nannies and two as private air stewards between 1995 and 2012. They were between the ages of 18 and 30 when they say the abuse Fladgate law firm, which represents the estate, has been contacted for comment. Leigh Day, the law firm representing the alleged victims, say the women were subjected to "serious sexual abuse, harassment and mistreatment". Some allege they were threatened when they tried to raise concerns or report the claims have been brought against Harrods, the department store owned by Al Fayed until 2010. Richard Meeran, one of the partners working on the women's case, told the BBC: "It is important that his estate is also made legally accountable for the widespread abuse he perpetrated against those who may never have had dealings with the famous store."The women are pursuing compensation under a personal injury claim. The letters of claim, which have been sent to the representatives of Al Fayed's estate on the women's behalf, signify the first formal step in the civil legal process prior to the start of court the documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods and podcast uncovered widespread allegations of abuse from former Harrods employees, the BBC has heard from close to 80 women who shared their own earliest account of abuse heard by the BBC stretched as far back as 1977 and a number of women described being recruited by Al Fayed under false pretences before being sexually exploited by Metropolitan Police have said more than 100 alleged victims have contacted them to say they were sexually abused by Al Fayed. They are currently reviewing a total of 21 allegations made before he died in 2023.A number of allegations were made against the businessman while he was still alive, but Al Fayed was never charged over rape and sexual assault allegations. In November, the Met announced an investigation into how it handled allegations relating to Al of the women who have spoken to the BBC about their experiences have raised significant questions regarding how the predatory abuse they say they suffered was able to continue across numerous five women, being represented by Leigh Day, are also calling for an independent inquiry into the matter. A spokesperson for Leigh Day added: "The letters are sent under the pre-action protocol for personal injury claims and mark the first formal step in the legal process prior to the commencement of court proceedings."In January, claims of abuse against Al Fayed and his brother Salah were heard in a UK court for the first time, in a civil case being brought against only surviving brother, Ali Fayed, has also been accused of sexual assault by former employees of the department store. A spokesperson for Mr Fayed, who lives in the US, said previously that he unequivocally denied any and all the allegations of wrongdoing, adding that "the incidents simply never took place".Harrods' new owners have previously said they are "appalled" by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether any current members of staff were November, the Met said it was investigating at least five people it believes may have assisted or enabled Al Fayed's alleged sexual offences. If you have information about this story that you would like to share please get in touch. Email MAFinvestigation@ Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Claims against Al Fayed reach UK court for first time
Allegations of abuse against Mohamed Al Fayed and his brother Salah have been heard in a UK court for the first time in a civil case being brought against Harrods. A woman is suing Harrods Ltd for damages for personal injuries she alleges she suffered while working for the department store that the Fayeds owned. A High Court hearing on Wednesday, where an application for anonymity for the claimant was granted, heard allegations that she was forced to terminate a pregnancy as well as being drugged and raped by Salah Fayed. It is believed to be the first claim against Harrods to reach a UK court involving an alleged victim of Mohamed Al Fayed, who was never charged over rape and sexual assault allegations and died in 2023. Solicitors Leigh Day, which represents the claimant, has previously said it had been contacted by more than 100 women. A separate legal case is being brought by the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, which has previously said it is representing more than 400 women. Al Fayed, who died aged 94, owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010. Salah Fayed, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2010, was one of three Fayed brothers who purchased the luxury Knightsbridge store in 1985. Claims of sexual offences by Al Fayed arose in a BBC documentary, after his death, which revealed the extent of his predatory behaviour. It was only after the BBC broadcast in September that the Metropolitan Police revealed it had been approached by 21 women, before Al Fayed's death, who accused him of sexual offences including rape, sexual assault and trafficking. Despite this, he was never charged with any offences. Since the documentary aired, 90 further women have contacted the force, with allegations stretching as far back as 1977. A wider investigation by the Met into the claims against Al Fayed is ongoing. Mohamed Al Fayed accused of multiple rapes by staff Timeline of sex abuse allegations How culture of fear at Harrods protected a predator Fulham 'protected' women's team players from Fayed Watch on iPlayer: Al Fayed - Predator at Harrods Listen on BBC Sounds: World of Secrets Harrods' new owners have previously said they are "appalled" by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether any current members of staff were involved. The retailer has declined to say whether action has been taken against any individual or when the review might be completed. In a statement on Wednesday, a Harrods spokesperson said it "supports the bravery of all survivors in coming forward". "These claims point to the breadth of abuse by Mohamed Fayed and again raise serious allegations against his brother, Salah Fayed," the spokesperson added. "The picture that has emerged suggests that this pattern of abusive behaviour took place wherever they operated." The Harrods spokesperson said it encouraged "survivors to look at every appropriate avenue to them in their pursuit of justice, whether that be Harrods, the police or the Fayed family and estate". "We cannot and would not comment on individual cases," the spokeperson said. In November, the Met Police said it was investigating at least five people it believes may have assisted or enabled Mohamed Al Fayed's alleged sexual offences.
