Latest news with #MohamedAlFayed
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Fayed ‘bought Diana's old school to groom and rape girls'
Mohamed al-Fayed raped and sexually assaulted girls at Princess Diana's old boarding school, it has been claimed. A former teacher has alleged the former Harrods owner bought West Heath School in Sevenoaks, Kent as a way of grooming young pupils. 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, according to another former staff member at West Heath. The tycoon purchased Diana's old school for £2,300,000 in May 1998, almost a year after she died in a car crash in Paris alongside his son, Dodi, with whom she had been having a relationship. Fayed, who also owned Fulham FC, said at the time that he wanted to protect the school where the Princess said she had enjoyed some of the happiest times of her life. But a former teacher has now alleged that Fayed used his ownership of the independent school as an opportunity to meet young girls and invite them to his home and workplace to exploit them. James (not his real name), told The Sun: '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 headmistress should have been walking round with him, but she might not even have realised that he was there.' A woman who worked at the school has claimed one pupil at West Heath, which was an all-girls boarding school when the Princess attended, but now caters for both girls and boys whose mainstream education has broken down, told her of an attack by Fayed. The woman, named only as Jessica, told Alison Kervin, the author of a new book about Fayed: '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. She was terrified. She felt like she was to blame, and nothing I said would calm her down.' Jessica alleges she has also been made aware of other girls who were attacked by Fayed and at least one who was raped. She has 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,' she told Kervin, the author of The Monster of Harrods. Jessica added: '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.' More than 100 women accuse tycoon More than 100 alleged victims have contacted police to say they were sexually abused by the tycoon. The youngest is thought to have been 13 at the time. A number of allegations were made against Fayed while he was still alive. Investigators twice sent files for a charging decision to the Crown Prosecution Service – in 2008 relating to three victims and in 2015 linked to one other. On another three occasions – in 2018, 2021 and 2023 – the CPS was asked for what is called early investigative advice, but the matters were not pursued further by police. Asked if he suspected Fayed was trying to recruit girls at West Heath, James said: '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. '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 buying them presents before inviting them to his house.' The teacher said that when details of Fayed's predatory behaviour first emerged he 'literally punched the wall in anger and frustration', adding: 'I should have done more.' West Heath School says on its website that it is sponsored by the Alfayed Charitable Foundation. This is overseen by Fayed's widow Heini Wathen-Fayed, his son Omar and daughter Camilla. The school describes itself as 'a living memorial to the life and work of its most famous former pupil Diana, Princess of Wales, who spent many happy days here'. In a statement, it said: 'We have no further information other than what is currently in the news. We do not tolerate abuse or harassment in any form.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Disgraced businessman and sex attacker Mohamed al Fayed 'bought Princess Diana's old school to groom and rape underage girls', sensational new book on dead monster claims
Mohamed al Fayed bought Princess Diana 's old school to groom and rape underage girls, a new book has claimed. A former teacher at West Heath School in Sevenoaks, Kent has revealed how the disgraced businessman bought the school on the promise to protect Diana's legacy but instead used it to prey on vulnerable school pupils. The former owner of Harrods, who died in 2023 aged 94, raped one school girl, caused the suicide of another and even fathered a baby with one underage pupil, the bombshell book alleges. In an extract from The Monster Of Harrods seen by The Sun, author Alison Kervin reveals how the depraved Egyptian business mogul targeted vulnerable school girls as well as young players at Fulham FC. Just a year after the death of the Princess of Wales in May 1998, al Fayed bought West Heath School which was teetering on the brink of financial collapse, under the guise of protecting a place which had been so special to the late royal. The Monster Of Harrods alleged that the businessman would regularly wander around the school unaccompanied, chatting to underage pupils and a former teacher revealed his visits always seemed inappropriate and 'creepy'. The former teacher explained he believed al Fayed was grooming the pupils and said he would promise them careers after they had finished and shower them with gifts from Harrods. The former owner of Fulham FC would also allegedly give girls lifts in his Rolls Royce and invite them to his house. Mohamed al Fayed (pictured in 2007) bought Princess Diana 's old school to groom and rape underage girls, a new book has claimed. He said: '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 and chauffeur-driven limo, and buying them presents before inviting them to his house. How is any of that appropriate?'. The tell-all book also claims that one pupil was attacked by al Fayed in a bathroom, ripping her clothes and hurting her after inviting her to Harrods. A former pupil described how her friend was terrified to share what had happened to her: '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.' Author Ms Kervin alleges that the brutal businessman threatened to close the school if the pupil reported him and refused to go to the police or to lawyers until the litany sexual abuse was revealed following his death. The former pupil said she was also aware of at least one other pupil who was raped by the predator and another who gave birth to a secret child. She also believes one woman committed suicide because of her experience with al Fayed. The school told The Sun: 'We do not tolerate abuse or harassment in any form.' In Sepetember 2024, in response to the BBC documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods they commented: 'We have no further information other than what is currently in the news.' And his abuse did not end with the Princess Diana's former school. A former footballer for the Fulham Women's team al Fayed set up revealed she was humiliated and sexually harassed by the club owner. In The Monster Of Harrods, she alleges that she was desperate to become a footballer and took al Fayed at his word when he promised to help her make the team. She described sharing her hopes with the businessman who offered to speak with her privately in his apartment. But when she arrived, she claimed the conversation was centred around whether she had a boyfriend and if she had lost her virginity. When conversation did turn to football, the promising player said she was asked to show off her legs and despite feeling uncomfortable, took off her tracksuit bottoms at which point al Fayed tried to reach out and touch her. She said he also asked her to take off her underwear but he felt uncomfortable and ran for the door only to find it locked. She said she repeatedly banged on the door while al Fayed laughed at her. After her experience she said she fell out of love with the game and eventually left the club. And the aspiring player was one of several who experienced harassment and abuse at the hands of the al Fayed and despite them all reporting it to the police, they say nothing ever came of it. Mohamed al Fayed was hit with an avalanche of rape and assault claims after at least two former Harrods workers told a BBC documentary they had been raped or molested by the Egyptian tycoon. Meanwhile last year, the Met Police revealed they were investigating 40 new allegations against al Fayed and others since the BBC documentary. The 40 new allegations related to 40 alleged victims and were in addition to allegations police were aware of before the BBC's investigation and documentary, Scotland Yard said. Prior to recent media coverage, 21 allegations were made against the late billionaire which resulted in crimes being recorded relating to 21 separate women between 2005 and 2023. The Met has now widened its investigation to look at associates who may have assisted and facilitated the abuse - meaning criminal charges could still be on the cards even though the direct perpetrators have died. It comes as a survivors group Justice for Harrods Survivors says it has 'credible evidence' suggesting the sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated at Harrods and the billionaire's properties 'was not limited to Mr al Fayed himself'.
Channel 4
6 days ago
- Politics
- Channel 4
Wed 28 May 2025
Six hundred days since the October 7th attacks, Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is close to a complete defeat of Hamas. Survivors call for an inquiry into ex-Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Princess Diana's former bodyguard who protected William and Harry dies at the age of 63 - as his wife releases heartbreaking tribute
Princess Diana 's former bodyguard - who protected Prince William and Prince Harry - has died at the age of 63. Lee Sansum, a former royal military police officer, was one of Diana's bodyguards before her death and escorted her during a family holiday to the French resort of St Tropez in 1997. Mr Sansum's wife, Kate made the heartbreaking announcement on Monday via a Facebook post and revealed her husband had died of a sudden heart attack. Alongside a compilation of images of the couple through the years, the wellness coach and martial arts instructor wrote: 'Since meeting in 1998 Lee Sansum has been my soul mate, hero and most amazing man in my world. 'So I'm devastated to share that he is no longer with us. He had a fatal heart attack on Saturday morning at home. 'His huge presence will be missed around the world as much as it is in our household although his capacity for love, and the life skills he has shared have left a legacy that will never be lost. He's forever loved and will always be with us I love you more than ever 'My Lovely Lee'. The father-of-six, was also one of Alex Salmond's bodyguards during the late former First Minister's period in office in 2014. The former royal bodyguard, who the princess nicknamed Rambo, had black belts in karate, jujitsu and kick-boxing, and was no stranger to the spotlights having also worked with Sylvester Stallone, Pele, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. At the time of Diana's death, he was a part of Mohamed Al-Fayed's protection team, the owner of Hôtel Ritz Paris and formerly Harrods department store and Fulham FC and took care of her during her holiday in the south of France . He had been assigned to look after Diana, and her sons Prince William and Harry, during their stay at Al-Fayad's 30-bedroom villa in St Tropez that summer - just a month before the princess's death. In the ex-Royal Military Policeman's book, Mr Sansum said he formed a close bond with Diana and the young princes, particularly Harry. He revealed he had tried to teach the two boys some kickboxing but they were too 'apprehensive'. He did however manage to show Prince Harry how to drive a jet ski close enough to waiting photographers to soak them. And for his kind services, he was given a touching thank you letter from Diana, according to The Mirror, who wrote that she was grateful for the 'magical ten not have been possible without your invaluable contribution.' Mr Sansum also shared that the late Diana had turned to him for comfort following the death of her fashion designer friend Gianni Versace who had recently been fatally shot outside his home. Burnley-born Lee said Diana would wake up at 7am every day and chat to him. He said she worried about her own life. Almost 25 years after the devastating night which took the lives of Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayad, the Mr Sansum revealed how he could've been with the princess that weekend, and with them in the car. In a 2022 interview he said: 'It could have been me in that car. We drew straws to see who would be accompanying Trevor [Rees-Jones] that weekend. When I learned they were not wearing seatbelts in the crash I understood why they didn't survive. I always insisted on it.' Mr Sansum, ex-Royal Military Policeman, martial arts champion, private military contractor and expert in close protection, added that it was standard practice for the family to wear seatbelts, an order sent down from Mohamed Al-Fayed. He made the comments while discussing his book, 'The Bodyguard', about his life as an expert in close protection, calling it 'the story of the real bodyguard'. During the course of his long and varied career, he also worked undercover in Northern Ireland and joined the SIB, the Army's own internal affairs unit, before entering the world of private security, operating in the world's hotspots, such as Libya and the breakaway state of Somaliland.
SBS Australia
17-05-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
Harrods' ex-owner allegedly abused hundreds of women. Some Australian survivors say he had help
Former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed is alleged to have sexually assaulted hundreds of women. More survivors have come forward after his death in 2023. Source: Channel 4 Watch Dateline's latest episode 'Delivered to a Predator' on 20 May at 9:30pm AEST on SBS or SBS On Demand. Content warning: This article contains references to sexual assault and rape. Australian Rebecca (not her real name) had been working on the shop floor at Harrods, a luxury department store in London, for only two weeks when a senior employee approached her and told her she had scored 100 per cent in a secret shopper survey. As a reward, Rebecca received a £50 gift voucher and the chance to meet the chairman of Harrods at the time, Mohamed Al Fayed. The Egyptian billionaire, who lived most of his life and built his wealth in the United Kingdom, owned Harrods until 2010. The senior employee, Kelly Walker-Duncalf, escorted Rebecca into Al Fayed's office and left the two alone. "I was gripped by the chairman on the face and kissed on the lips," Rebecca recalls 19 years later, her voice trembling. "I was shocked. I didn't know if it was a cultural greeting. I was just naive. I was 22 and had no idea what I was in for." She says Al Fayed wanted her to work in his office as one of his personal assistants and gave her £800 in cash to buy work clothes. That year, in 2005, Rebecca started working as a PA in Al Fayed's office, mostly shadowing other PAs, and says she was never tasked with anything of substance. Until one day, she was asked to deliver a package to Al Fayed at his apartment in one of London's most expensive neighbourhoods, Mayfair. "There was on the bed, handbags, dresses, shoes," she recalls. "And a comment was made [that] all of this could be mine if I play by the rules. I was asked to remove his shoes." She says soon Al Fayed was on top of her, raping her, as she asked him to stop. Stories of young women being taken to Al Fayed's office circulated in the company at the time. But it was only after the billionaire's death in 2023 at the age of 94 that the full scale of his abuse of women came to light. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted hundreds of women. Many survivors who came forward with the allegations , and some former Harrods staff, point to one woman who is alleged to have made his abuse possible for years: Walker-Duncalf. She is alleged to have used her senior position at Harrods from 2004 to recruit young women for Al Fayed. She left the company in 2013, three years after Al Fayed sold it to new owners. Barrister Dean Armstrong is representing some of the survivors. "The name that comes up as someone who was facilitating the introductions, putting them into a position where abuse could take place, was Kelly Walker-Duncalf," he says. "Her name came up at least 50 per cent of the time." Through her lawyer, Walker-Duncalf said that she did not, at any stage, "facilitate" or "enable" any of Al Fayed's crimes. According to her CV, Walker-Duncalf joined the Harrods shopfloor in 1997. She worked her way up to becoming the head of store approvals, the department that vetted new recruits, in 2004. Former employees allege that she used her position to scout for young women for Al Fayed for sexual purposes. Anne-Marie was 21 when she got a job at the store approvals at Harrods in 2005 and worked closely with Walker-Duncalf for nearly a year. "When I was working in reception, she had said to me early on:''Please send any attractive candidates that you see directly to my office'," she recalls. "Attractive blondes was a real focus for her." Anne-Marie, who now lives in Australia, says Walker-Duncalf would take Polaroid photos of some candidates, pin them on a board, and regularly take the photos up to Al Fayed. "She was the second most important person in Harrods. She may not have had the power on paper, but she had a degree of power that nobody else in the store had." Anne-Marie witnessed what she describes as a constant flow of young women being sent to Al Fayed's office. "She would have sent hundreds of girls up to his office," she says. One day, her turn came to meet the chairman in person. She says the first time he sexually assaulted her he kissed her on the mouth, and on one occasion tried to rape her. "Only when something had happened to me, I sort of put two and two together and realised that she was sending up those girls and young women as prey for Al Fayed," she says. Asked whether she considered reporting the incident, Anne-Marie says: "there was very much a culture of fear and intimidation that existed within Harrods". Former staff say that during Al Fayed's ownership of Harrods, high-level security and surveillance created a climate of fear at the company, protecting not only him but Walker-Duncalf too. But some women did report Al Fayed and Walker-Duncalf to the police. In 2013, Francesca was 20 and had recently moved to London looking for a job in fashion, when a mutual friend introduced her to Walker-Duncalf, who had just left her job at Harrods. Walker-Duncalf told her that Al Fayed was looking for a PA, and the two women drove to his office. Francesca says he raped her the evening they met. She went to the police the next morning. As the police investigated her allegations and ran medical examinations, Francesca felt ashamed and terrified that he or his people would come after her. Two weeks after first reporting the rape, she withdrew her complaint. But in 2015, she asked the police to reopen the case. In a few months, she received a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service informing her there was not enough evidence to prove that the sex was non-consensual. "It's been really hard to rebuild myself after that happened to me, and it's been a long, long process," Francesca says. A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service said the agency was improving its standard of communication and wants "anyone affected by sexual offences to come forward with confidence they will be treated with compassion and respect." "In this case, the prosecutors who looked at the files of evidence concluded there was no realistic prospect of conviction and no charges were brought," the statement read. "We are determined to secure justice in as many rape and serious sexual offences as possible. London's Metropolitan Police now admits that between 2005 and 2023, it received 21 reports of sexual abuse against Al Fayed, but no charges were ever brought. Police now believe that number to be more than 100. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson urged "anyone with information, whether they were directly affected by Mohamed Al Fayed's actions or aware of others who may have been involved, or committed offences, to come forward". Harrods is now under new management and a spokesperson also encouraged all survivors "to make their claims to the Harrods scheme, where they can apply for compensation as well as support through an independent survivor advocate". If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
