Latest news with #MohammedAlFayed
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
More than 140 people report crimes to Al Fayed investigation
The Metropolitan Police says 146 people have now come forward to report a crime in their investigation into former Harrod's boss Mohammed Al Fayed. In a video update sent to victims, Scotland Yard said women and men had reported crimes, and a number of new witnesses had also contacted the force to give evidence. The Met is currently conducting an investigation into how it handled historical allegations, including sexual assault and rape, perpetrated by Al Fayed - who died in 2023 aged 94. It is also looking into whether there may have been others who could face charges for enabling or assisting his behaviour. The force has previously said it was investigating at least five people. In the update, Detective Inspector Karen Khan said the Met was working with international agencies, including foreign police forces. She said it was "difficult" to say when the investigation might be concluded because of the sheer number of survivors who had come forward. She also asked for victims and witnesses to continue to come forward but acknowledged there was a "reluctance" to trust the police by some. Last month, the force wrote to alleged victims apologising, saying it was "truly sorry" for the distress they have suffered because Al Fayed will never face justice. The latest figure is more than double the 61 people who the Met said had reported allegations the last time it released a number in October. Harrods said more than 100 victims of Al Fayed's abuse had entered its compensation scheme in July. Al Fayed owned the luxury department store between 1985 and 2010. The store started issuing compensation at the end of April and the scheme remains open for new applications until 31 March 2026. Eligible applicants could receive up to £385,000 in compensation, plus treatment costs, if they agree to be assessed by a consultant psychiatrist, Harrods said in March. They are also offered a meeting with a senior Harrods' representative to receive an apology in person or by video, as well as a written apology. The extent of Al Fayed's predatory behaviour was brought to light by a BBC documentary and podcast, broadcast in September 2024. Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-Harrods employees who said Al Fayed sexually assaulted or raped them. Since then, dozens more women have come forward with similar experiences. Responding to the BBC investigation at the time, Harrods' current owners said they were "utterly appalled" by the allegations and that his victims had been failed - for which the store sincerely apologised. It was only after the broadcast that the Met 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. In October, the Met said 40 new allegations including sexual assault and rape had been made against Al Fayed, covering a period between 1979 and 2013. These allegations were in addition to the 21 it had already received. Two complaints against the Met Police for its handing of allegations against Al Fayed are being investigated by the force under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Met to investigate handling of Al Fayed complaints More than 100 victims of Al Fayed abuse claim compensation
Times
04-06-2025
- Times
Mohammed Al Fayed spied on Harrods changing rooms, says bodyguard
Mohammed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, regularly spied on customers in the changing rooms, his former bodyguard has claimed. In her new book The Monster of Harrods, the journalist Alison Kervin spoke to a former bodyguard of the late businessman known only as 'Biggie'. In the book, publishing on Thursday, the bodyguard says his former boss also put cameras in the ladies' staff toilets. Police believed Fayed, who also owned Fulham Football Club, may have raped and abused at least 111 women and girls over nearly four decades, though survivors believe the true figure is higher. He evaded justice during his lifetime, even though 21 victims went to the police before he died in 2023. Scotland Yard has said that five suspected 'facilitators' are being investigated. In the book, which explores the culture that allowed Fayed's actions to go unpunished, Biggie alleges his boss would go to extreme lengths to know what was going on in his Knightsbridge store. • The monster of Harrods: 'Mohamed Al Fayed raped me' ''There were cameras all over the building, even in the public areas,' Biggie said. ''Fayed was watching the staff, but lots of customers were also seen on screen. The cameras were in the staff ladies' toilets because he suspected that women would gather in there to chat and he needed to know what they were saying. They were also in locker rooms and changing rooms. 'Also — and people don't talk about this — there were cameras right up to the entrance and slightly inside the changing rooms used by Harrods customers, which meant if you were in a Harrods changing room during the Fayed era, there was a good chance that he was watching you.' He said that the footage was shown on a wall of 40 screens watched by security officers day and night. 'There was a seriousness to the basement, and the guys looked at the screens as if their lives depended on it.' He added that John Macnamara, a former police officer who became Fayed's head of security, was also involved. 'But they also realised that many of the questions Macnamara asked were about females who had caught Fayed's eye, so there was also a lot of sniggering as they watched women in changing rooms and toilets.' Another person known as 'the engineer' also discussed what was happening at Harrods. ''There were recording devices everywhere, and I'd have to make sure they were working and we were picking up everything clearly,' he said. 'Most of the things we recorded weren't listened to by the chairman [Fayed], but it was important that we did the recordings and kept everything properly filed, in case he asked.' Harrods published details of its compensation scheme earlier this year. It allows people to apply for amounts including 'general damages' of up to £200,000 and a 'work impact payment' of up to £150,000.
