Harrods, now beneath Qatari possession, points apology for abuse of energy when the shop was beneath al-Fayed’s management.
Thirty-seven girls have accused the late Mohamed al-Fayed, the previous boss of London division retailer Harrods, of rape and sexual assault, whereas his legal professionals say they count on “many extra” to file civil claims.
At a information convention in London on Friday, legal professionals representing the ladies described the Egyptian-born businessman, who died final 12 months aged 94, as a “monster” who abused the ladies and ladies he employed through the 25 years he owned the luxurious retailer from 1985 to 2010.
The allegations towards al-Fayed have been made public by the BBC in a documentary referred to as Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, broadcast on Thursday, and on the broadcaster’s World of Secrets and techniques podcast, by which greater than 20 girls alleged that he assaulted them and was bodily violent in the direction of them at properties in London, Paris, Saint Tropez and Abu Dhabi.
Certainly one of Al-Fayed’s accusers, referred to as Natacha, advised the information convention that the billionaire businessman was “very manipulative” and “preyed on essentially the most weak, these of us who wanted to pay lease and a few of us who didn’t have dad and mom to guard us.”
In July 2023, Harrods, which was bought in 2010 to the funding arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, started settling claims with girls who got here ahead alleging sexual abuse by Al-Fayed.
The store’s present homeowners issued an apology in a press release to the BBC documentary, saying they have been “completely appalled” by the abuse allegations.
“As an organization, we failed our staff, who have been victims, and for that we sincerely apologize,” they mentioned.
“Whereas we can’t undo the previous, we’re decided to do the best factor as a company, guided by the values we stand for at present, whereas making certain that the sort of conduct can’t be repeated sooner or later.”
The division retailer is a “very totally different group” than the one owned and managed by Al-Fayed, they mentioned, describing the alleged crimes as “the actions of a person who supposed to abuse his energy.”
At Friday’s press occasion, lead lawyer Dean Armstrong disputed Harrods’ declare that it knew nothing in regards to the allegations till final 12 months.
“We’re right here to say publicly and to the world, or to Harrods in entrance of the world, that it’s time for them to take duty and to place issues proper, and that’s one thing they need to do as quickly as doable,” he mentioned.
Lawyer Bruce Drummond mentioned survivors got here from everywhere in the world.
“The complainants got here from Malaysia, Australia, Italy, Romania, the USA and Canada, whereas one in all them was solely 16 years outdated when she was allegedly assaulted,” he mentioned.
US lawyer Gloria Allred, who has represented victims in a number of the most high-profile sexual abuse circumstances lately, together with these involving Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, mentioned many ladies had dreamed of working in “essentially the most lovely retailer on this planet”.
“Nevertheless, beneath the glitz and glamour of Harrods was a poisonous, unsafe and abusive setting,” she mentioned.
