BBC Information correspondent
Getty Photos/BBCAllegations of abuse towards Mohamed Al Fayed and his brother Salah have been heard in a UK court docket for the primary time in a civil case being introduced towards Harrods.
A lady is suing Harrods Ltd for damages for private accidents she alleges she suffered whereas working for the division retailer that the Fayeds owned.
A Excessive Court docket listening to on Wednesday, the place an software for anonymity for the claimant was granted, heard allegations that she was compelled to terminate a being pregnant in addition to being drugged and raped by Salah Fayed.
It’s believed to be the primary declare towards Harrods to achieve a UK court docket involving an alleged sufferer of Mohamed Al Fayed, who was by no means charged over rape and sexual assault allegations and died in 2023.
Solicitors Leigh Day, which represents the claimant, has beforehand mentioned it had been contacted by greater than 100 girls.
A separate authorized case is being introduced by the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, which has beforehand mentioned it’s representing greater than 400 girls.
Al Fayed, who died aged 94, owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010.
Salah Fayed, who died of pancreatic most cancers in 2010, was one in all three Fayed brothers who bought the posh Knightsbridge retailer in 1985.
Claims of sexual offences by Al Fayed arose in a BBC documentary, after his loss of life, which revealed the extent of his predatory behaviour.
It was solely after the BBC broadcast in September that the Metropolitan Police revealed it had been approached by 21 girls, earlier than Al Fayed’s loss of life, who accused him of sexual offences together with rape, sexual assault and trafficking. Regardless of this, he was by no means charged with any offences.
For the reason that documentary aired, 90 additional girls have contacted the pressure, with allegations stretching way back to 1977. A wider investigation by the Met into the claims towards Al Fayed is ongoing.
Harrods’ new homeowners have beforehand mentioned they’re “appalled” by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether or not any present members of workers had been concerned.
The retailer has declined to say whether or not motion has been taken towards any particular person or when the evaluation could be accomplished.
In an announcement on Wednesday, a Harrods spokesperson mentioned it “helps the bravery of all survivors in coming ahead”.
“These claims level to the breadth of abuse by Mohamed Fayed and once more elevate severe allegations towards his brother, Salah Fayed,” the spokesperson added.
“The image that has emerged means that this sample of abusive behaviour passed off wherever they operated.”
The Harrods spokesperson mentioned it inspired “survivors to take a look at each acceptable avenue to them of their pursuit of justice, whether or not that be Harrods, the police or the Fayed household and property”.
“We can not and wouldn’t touch upon particular person circumstances,” the spokeperson mentioned.
In November, the Met Police mentioned it was investigating not less than 5 individuals it believes might have assisted or enabled Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged sexual offences.
