For the first time, allegations of abuse against Mohamed Al Fayed and his brother Salah were aired in a UK court as part of a legal action against Harrods.
A lady is suing Harrods Ltd for bodily injuries she claims she sustained while working at the Fayeds’ department store. A High Court hearing on Wednesday, when the claimant’s motion for anonymity was granted, heard claims that Salah Fayed compelled her to abort a pregnancy while also drugging and raping her.
It is thought to be the first action against Harrods to reach a UK court involving a claimed victim of Mohamed Al Fayed, who was never charged with rape or sexual assault and died in 2023.
Solicitors Leigh Day, who represents the claimant, previously stated that over 100 women had approached them. The Justice for Harrods Survivors organization is bringing a separate court lawsuit, and it has previously indicated that it represents around 400 women. Al Fayed, who died at 94, controlled Harrods from 1985 to 2010. Salah Fayed, who died from pancreatic illness in 2010, was one of three brothers who bought the premium Knightsbridge boutique in 1985.
The new owners of Harrods have already stated that they are “appalled” by the sexual assault claims and have been investigating if any current employees were involved since 2023. The business has declined to comment on whether any action has been taken against individuals or when the review will be concluded. A Harrods spokeswoman stated on Wednesday that the company “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,” according to a spokeswoman. “The developed picture suggests that this pattern of violence took place wherever they operated.” The Harrods spokeswoman said it urged “survivors to look at every appropriate avenue available to them in their pursuit of justice, whether that be Harrods, the police, or the Fayed family and estate.” “We cannot and will not comment on individual cases,” the spokesperson stated.
