Latest news with #Fayed
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
How sick Mohamed Fayed bought Princess Di's old school to ‘groom & rape underage girls' in Savile-style sex abuse scheme
In an exclusive extract from The Monster Of Harrods, author Alison Kervin tells how the monster Harrods boss targeted school kids and young women at Fulham FC PREDATOR Mohamed Fayed raped and sexually assaulted girls at Princess Diana's old boarding school, a new book alleges. A former teacher tells how the ex-Harrods owner bought West Heath School in Sevenoaks, Kent, then used it to groom pupils. 6 The Monster Of Harrods claims ex-Harrods owner Mohamed Fayed bought Princess Diana's boarding school to rape and sexually assault girls Credit: Getty 6 When all the information about Fayed's sex crimes came out after his death, a former teacher at West Heath School said he 'punched the wall' and wished he done more Credit: Alamy One-time Fulham FC proprietor Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94, is said to have raped a girl, caused the suicide of another and fathered a baby with an under-age pupil. Here, in an exclusive extract from The Monster Of Harrods, author Alison Kervin tells how depraved Fayed targeted school children as well as young women at Fulham FC. MOHAMED FAYED bought the Princess of Wales's old school in May 1998, almost a year after her death in Paris. His rationale was to protect the place where Diana had enjoyed herself (she had described it as the happiest time of her life). James (not his real name), a former teacher at the school, says: 'Fayed would come to the school sometimes and it would be the big Mohamed show, like when he came with celebrities (he brought Madonna in 2010). 'But there were other times when he'd come to just stroll in alone and start talking to the girls. 'I always thought it was creepy and odd. I know that's easy to say in hindsight, but I did. 'No one seemed to stop him because he'd saved the school from closing. He was free to wander around and do whatever he liked. 'I never thought that was right. 'I thought the head-mistress should have been walking round with him, but she might not even have realised that he was there. 'I'm haunted by what I saw' Al Fayed's security chief sheds new light on vile abuse of female staff 'He seemed to be able to turn up unannounced. Even parents aren't allowed to walk in and walk around.' I ask James whether he suspected that Fayed was trying to recruit girls. 'There's no question that he was. I know he told girls he could get them jobs and he'd give them things from Harrods. 'He invited a couple of the girls to his house. I spoke to another teacher and we went to talk to a senior member of staff about it. They said that it was fine and we shouldn't worry, but it wasn't fine. 'I knew it wasn't. I carried on worrying about it. 'He shouldn't have been there. Benefactor or not, a man of that age should not be mixing with young girls, offering them lifts in his Rolls-Royce and chauffeur-driven limo, and buying them presents before inviting them to his house. How is any of that appropriate?' 'She was terrified' When all the damning information about Fayed's sex crimes came out after his death, James says he 'literally punched the wall in anger and frustration', adding: 'I should have done more.' James put me in touch with a woman who worked at the school, but not as a teacher. Jessica (not her real name) says she knows of a girl who was abused by Fayed while attending West Heath School. Jessica tells me: 'I couldn't get her to go to the police, and she refused to tell anyone at the school but me. 'I guess that because I wasn't part of the teaching staff, she felt safer telling me. She was nervous and crying. 'Fayed had invited her to Harrods and attacked her in the boardroom. 'He didn't manage to rape her, but he tore her clothes and he hurt her. She kicked him and he slapped her and called her an ungrateful animal. 'He said that he would pull the money out of the school and close it down if she said anything. 'He told her that her parents would be told about how she had behaved and all the school would know that she was the one who had closed the school down. She was terrified — she felt like she was to blame, and nothing I said would calm her down.' 6 Mohamed Fayed would turn up at the school with celebrities, like Madonna in 2010 Credit: Alamy 6 Diana as a schoolgirl in 1970 Credit: PA:Press Association Jessica says that she has been made aware of other girls who were attacked by Fayed and at least one who was raped. She reported her findings to her lawyers and plans to contact the Harrods Survivors support group on their behalf. 'When I spoke to lawyers, they put me on to some lawyers working with a lot of the victims, and they were already aware of the claims. They said they had been contacted by girls at the school and by the relatives of one girl who had committed suicide. 'The family are convinced it was because of what she went through with Fayed. I know they are also investigating that he fathered a love child with an under-age girl. I don't know any more details. 'I don't work at the school any more, and I'm glad Fayed is dead.' In a statement, West Heath School said: 'We do not tolerate abuse or harassment in any form.' On May 29, 1997, Fayed stood in the middle of the pitch at his newly purchased trophy, Fulham Football Club, wrapped in the team's scarf, and announced: 'I have a football club.' Amanda (not her real name) was on the fringes of the Fulham women's team and keen to become the best player she could be. 'Women's football was growing,' she says, 'and Fayed had become a bit of a hero by setting up the first professional women's side.' Fayed invited [a schoolgirl ] to Harrods and attacked her. He didn't manage to rape her, but he tore her clothes and he hurt her. He said he'd pull money out of the school if she said anything Amanda was still at school while training at Craven Cottage. She says she told her mum that Fayed would be visiting the training ground and her mum said: 'Be nice to him — make sure you stand out from the crowd.' When Fayed walked in, Amanda says that the place went quiet and everyone stopped what they were doing. She was nervous but remembered her mum's words, so she bounded up to him, put out her hand to shake his hand, and said, 'Hello, I'm Amanda and I'm hoping to get into the first team soon.' Little did she know that this was manna from heaven for Fayed — a pretty young woman who wanted something that he could get for her. 'Ran for the door' 'He came over to me later and invited me to come to his apartment to discuss my role at Fulham and whether he could help me to make it into the first team. 'I was so excited. He told me that someone from the club would drive me in, and he'd make sure I got home safely. 'When I got to his apartment he didn't even mention football. All he wanted to know was whether I had a boyfriend, had I lost my virginity, had I ever kissed a man? 'He was sitting right next to me and had his hand on my thigh, stroking my leg as we talked. 'He said I had good legs and they'd be perfect for football. He asked me to show them to him.' He [Fayed] asked me to bend over, and he told me to take my knickers off. I realised that was all wrong and ran for the door Amanda was wearing her tracksuit and had no desire to remove the trousers. She remembers she felt awkward and confused. 'I can get you a place in the team,' Fayed told her. 'I own the club, I can do whatever I like. 'I need to see your legs to see whether they're strong enough.' Amanda took down her tracksuit trousers and says that Fayed then became like an animal, reaching out to try to touch her. 'He asked me to bend over, and he told me to take my knickers off. I realised that was all wrong and ran for the door, but my tracksuit bottoms were round my ankles and I was struggling to pull them up while running. 'I got to the door and it was locked. I banged and banged on it with all my might. I'd just about got my trousers pulled up when I heard a voice on the other side, so I screamed and kicked at the door. 'I was sure Fayed was going to come running after me but he stayed in his seat, laughing at me. The door opened and I ran out. 'I didn't stay in football long after that . . . it didn't hold anything like the same joy for me. 'I stopped going to training and slowly drifted away from the club.' 6 One-time Fulham FC proprietor Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Amanda says of reporting the incident to the police: 'I tried, but they weren't really interested, so I left the police station.' Three of the Fulham players I have interviewed also went to the police to report Fayed, but nothing ever happened. One other story that arose after I talked to players at Fulham concerns Kevin Keegan, the former Liverpool, Hamburg and England star, who was brought in to coach the Fulham men's team. Keegan left Fulham when he became England manager in 1999, citing the difficulties of coaching club and country at the same time. Fayed said he would let Keegan go because he was a patriot. 'I've given you my Keegan,' he quipped at the time, 'Now can I have my British passport?' But there are stories that the situation was much more complicated than that. Apparently Fayed and Keegan fell out because the fax machine that Fayed had given to Keegan for home use when he started at the club had stopped working. Rather than call the club, Keegan went to a local repair centre, where a bugging device was found in the machine. Once Keegan realised that Fayed possessed the ability to listen in on everything he and others said within the safety of his home, he decided to quit. Keegan could not be reached for comment. The Monster Of Harrods: Al-Fayed And The Secret, Shameful History Of A British Institution, by Alison Kervin (Harper Collins), is on sale on Thursday.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Sick Mohamed Fayed raped me before Harrods bosses forced me into abortion & then fired me, says victim in bombshell book
Belinda was invited to Fayed's private apartment - little did she know what horror awaited her behind closed doors 'RAPED' BY MONSTER Sick Mohamed Fayed raped me before Harrods bosses forced me into abortion & then fired me, says victim in bombshell book HARRODS fiend Mohamed Fayed raped an employee who was then pressured to have an abortion by store bosses, an explosive new book claims. Speaking for the first time, the woman using alias Belinda says a Fayed doctor helped arrange the termination of her baby after insisting: 'Harrods will pay for it.' 7 Mohamed Fayed raped an employee who was then pressured to have an abortion by Harrods staff, an explosive new book reveals Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 7 In The Monster of Harrods, author Alison shares Belinda's experiences which would scar her for life Credit: AFP When Belinda said she wanted to meet a friend to talk matters through, it is alleged the store's head of security strong-armed her into aborting and keeping it secret. The former perfume counter worker, who was left suicidal by her ordeal, reveals in new book The Monster Of Harrods: 'I had the abortion, they gave me an envelope with £1,000 in it — and told me that I no longer had a job.' She adds: 'I went home and I've never been back to Harrods since. 'Losing a baby like that was hard — no woman wants to have her rapist's baby — but I never had children. I was scarred by what I went through and sometimes think about how different my life might have been if I'd never gone to work at Harrods.' On Wednesday a group handed a letter to Downing Street calling for witnesses to be compelled to answer questions under oath about who covered up Fayed's offending. More than 500 women have come forward to say they were raped or sexually abused by Harrods and Fulham FC owner Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94. If true, it would make him a predator on the scale of BBC beast Jimmy Savile, whose reign of terror emerged after his death in 2011. Belinda's ordeal began almost 30 years ago when she got a job at the store in Knightsbridge, London. She was soon noticed by Fayed and offered a promotion from the sales floor to the buying team, which was her dream A few days later, he invited her to his private apartment. Police launch probe into individuals who enabled Mohamed Al Fayed's campaign of sexual abuse In the book, by Alison Kervin, Belinda says: 'When I look back now, I wish I'd spoken to someone . . . anyone. But I didn't. I went up to his apartment and I was raped by him.' When she later realised she was pregnant she met Harrods doctor Wendy Snell — now dead — who told her that 'I should keep quiet about it and she'd arrange for me to have an abortion'. She was told she would have to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) but insisted she first wanted to discuss matters with a pal, the next day. But before she met the friend, in a South London cafe, she realised she was being followed by two men — one of whom she recognised as Harrods security chief John Macnamara. Belinda says Macnamara — now also dead — 'turned nasty' and made her sign the NDA, saying 'he knew where my parents lived'. I had the abortion, and they gave me an envelope with £1,000 in it and told me I no longer had a job Belinda In Fayed's lifetime, 21 women made allegations against him. Four were reports of rape, 16 of sexual assault and one of trafficking. The Met Police twice sent files for a charging decision to the CPS relating to three victims in 2008 and one other in 2015. On a further three occasions, in 2018, 2021 and 2023, the CPS was asked for what is called early investigative advice from cops. But no charges were ever brought. Last year, though, the Met said it was investigating at least five people it believes may have assisted or enabled Fayed's alleged offences. 7 When Belinda realised she was pregnant she met Harrods doctor Wendy Snell — now dead — who told her that 'I should keep quiet about it and she'd arrange for me to have an abortion' Credit: Medstars 7 Harrods security chief John Macnamara told Belinda she would be given money for an abortion and needed to sign an NDA Credit: PA The Met is being investigated by the police watchdog amid claims it failed to pursue him properly. In The Monster of Harrods, author Alison shares Belinda's experiences which would scar her for life. Belinda says: 'I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that Fayed ruined everything for me, for ever, the day he raped me.' She was working on the perfume sales floor when she found herself at the centre of Fayed's fantasies. Belinda says in the book: 'The chairman's personal assistant called and asked me to come to his office. 'He seemed genuinely impressed and said he could get me a job in the buying department, which was something I desperately wanted.' A few days later, Belinda was moved to the department. Then she was invited to Fayed's private apartment, and thought he might explain what her new role involved. 'SOILED GOODS' Little did she know what horror awaited her behind closed doors. She says that after the rape, she fled the apartment, past security guards, and ran home. Next morning she called in sick — and when she went in the morning after that, her desk had disappeared and she had been moved back to the sales floor. She says: 'I was soiled goods. I was made to feel disgusting, and I'd done nothing wrong other than be attacked by this man.' Two months went by, with Belinda hiding whenever Fayed went past. She says: 'I was worried if he saw me there he might sack me.' One day Belinda realised it had been ages since her period. She says: 'I went to the chemist's and bought a pregnancy testing kit. 'It was positive. I hadn't slept with anyone for months. I knew it must be my rapist's child. 'I felt scared, alone and terrified. I kept thinking that maybe the test was wrong. Then I made the most stupid mistake of my life. I went to see Dr Wendy Snell. "I told her I might be pregnant and she gave me a test to do. When it came back positive, I burst into tears and explained what had happened. 'She told me I should keep quiet and she'd arrange for me to have an abortion. Harrods would pay for it and no one would find out. She told me to come back next day and it would be arranged. "All I had to do was sign an NDA and the rest would be taken care of. 'At no time did she say, 'Do you want this baby?' That wasn't on the cards because it wouldn't have suited the chairman, and his views were all that mattered. 'I didn't go back the next day. I felt too nervous and confused. Instead, I phoned in sick and made a plan to meet a friend in a cafe to see what she thought I should do. 'I left home at 11am and realised straightaway I was being followed. 'As I got to the cafe in Putney, two men approached me. I recognised one from the store. I now know he was John Macnamara.' She was told she would be given money for an abortion and needed to sign an NDA. I went to the chemist's and bought a pregnancy testing kit. It was positive. I hadn't slept with anyone for months. I knew it must be my rapist's child Belinda But Belinda said she wanted to talk to someone first. She says: 'They turned nasty and said there was no time to mess around and I had to sign it straightaway. 'One — I think it was Macnamara — said he knew where my parents lived and would cause trouble if I breathed a word. "I was basically made to sign the NDA, then they said I was to leave for work as usual the next morning, and they would accompany me to have an abortion. My parents are both alive and neither knows.' 7 More than 500 women have come forward to say they were raped or sexually abused by Harrods and Fulham FC owner Fayed Credit: PA 7 BBC beast Jimmy Savile, whose reign of terror emerged after his death in 2011 Credit: Getty 7 The Monster of Harrods: Al-Fayed and the secret, shameful history of a British institution, by Alison Kervin, is on sale on June 5 Belinda says she had the abortion, was given £1,000 and told she was no longer a Harrods employee. She adds: 'The fact the doctor was in on it and was acting against my best interests was just awful. 'That vile organisation headed by a monster, it makes me want to scream and lash out. I wish he was still alive. I wish we could all go and kill him. 'How does one man get away with decades of abusing women and never get caught?'
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
FABMISR witnesses profits in Q1-25; customer deposits grow 12%
Cairo: First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr (FABMISR), one of the largest banks operating in Egypt and a unit of the UAE-listed FAB, registered a net profit of EGP 3.90 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 compared to EGP 9.90 billion in Q1-24. The financial results reflect a resilient performance as the core operational performance showed a notable growth of 31% after neutralizing the impact of exchange rate, according to a press release. The financial statements of FABMISR indicated an 8% increase in net loans and advances facilities to EGP 153.40 billion by the end of March 2025 compared to December 2024. Furthermore, customer deposits increased by 12% to EGP 288.9 billion over the past year. The bank's total assets grew by 12% to EGP 461.90 billion by the end of March 2025, while total shareholders' equity rose by 5% to EGP 63.40 billion. FABMISR reported a net interest income of EGP 7.30 billion in Q1-25, signaling a 20% growth compared to the same period in 2024 while highlighting the bank's strong financial standing and operational efficiency. The CEO and Managing Director of FABMISR, Mohamed Abbas Fayed, said: "Our first-quarter results for 2025 reflect the strength of our business model and the thoughtful execution of our strategy, which centers on innovation and delivering real value to our clients.' Fayed noted: 'The bank has continued to achieve strong performance, driven by high operational efficiency and adaptability in responding to economic changes.' The CEO concluded: 'This growth not only reflects the strength of our financial performance, but also affirms our ability to continue delivering integrated banking solutions that meet the needs of both individuals and businesses, supporting their financial and investment goals.' In 2024, FABMISR posted net profits worth EGP 26.30 billion as well as net loans and advances of EGP 142 billion. Source: Mubasher
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
FABMISR expands in Egypt with 4 new branches
Cairo – First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr (FABMISR), a unit of the UAE-listed FAB, has inaugurated four new branches across Egypt as part of its expansion strategy, according to a press release. The new additions, therefore, bring FABMISR's total number of branches across Egypt to 72 until the present time. The bank operating in Egypt launched several branches in key locations nationwide in the past six months alone, including Mahalla El-Kubra, 10th of Ramadan City, Wadi El-Nil (Mohandeseen), and the Ring Road in Maadi. Additionally, the City Stars Mall branch has been relocated to a new site within the same mall. CEO and Managing Director of FABMISR, Mohamed Abbas Fayed, said: 'The rollout of new branches over the past months reflects our commitment to expanding our network to meet the needs of our customers in the most vital areas of Cairo and industrial zones. Our branch network now stands at 72 branches across the country.' Fayed added: 'Through this expansion, we aim to support economic growth and financial sustainability by offering innovative banking solutions through our user-friendly digital platforms, tailored to the aspirations of individuals and businesses while contributing to the development of the industrial sector.' The branch in El Mahalla El Kubra represents a significant step toward supporting Egypt's major industrial zones, as it is known as one of the largest textile manufacturing centers in the country, presents vast opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in addition to ongoing developmental projects aimed at strengthening its role as a key industrial hub. Similarly, the 10th of Ramadan City, which is one of Egypt's largest industrial cities, attracts both local and foreign investments and hosts major construction projects, reinforcing its position as an integrated industrial center. The branch on the Ring Road in Maadi is located in a bustling residential and commercial district that includes embassies, diplomatic offices, and international companies. Meanwhile, the Wadi El-Nile branch in Mohandeseen, located in a major cultural and commercial hub, caters to the needs of both individuals and businesses in one of Cairo's most vibrant areas. Moreover, the City Stars Mall branch, located within one of the capital's most prominent retail and business destinations, continues to solidify the bank's presence in high-traffic urban areas. Earlier in 2025, the Egypt-based lender launched FABMISR E-Connect as a corporate online banking channel designed specifically for multinationals and large businesses. In 2024, FABMISR generated profits worth EGP 26.30 billion, while its total customer deposits reached EGP 258.80 billion. Source: Mubasher
Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Al Fayed's son: ‘We treat the planet like my father treated women'
When Omar Fayed ran away to sea, his father was convinced he had been kidnapped. 'I told him exactly where I was going,' said Fayed, 37. 'I just don't think he believed me. And I was completely out of touch in the middle of the ocean.' His father, the billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed, had been preparing his youngest son to take over Harrods, the flagship of his business empire, but the younger man — 22 at the time — had decided he wanted a different life. He joined the crew of the Heraclitus, a research vessel built in the 1970s by Californian environmentalists, which had carried out scientific, environmental and anthropological research from the Pacific to the Antarctic, the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. 'I
