Recent allegations are being made about ex-Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed by a former employee who says her line supervisor “brushed it off” when she complained about inappropriate advances.
The lady, named Catherine, contacted the BBC after stories this week from different girls saying they have been sexually assaulted by the late billionaire.
Catherine mentioned she was a 21-year-old Harrods worker when she was referred to as into Fayed’s workplace the place he made “uncomfortable” advances together with kissing her on the brow, inviting her to work in his workplace and saying he was her boyfriend.
Harrods’ present house owners mentioned earlier this week they have been “completely appalled” by the allegations and “victims have been failed”.
They mentioned they weren’t conscious of any allegations previous to 2023 however legal professionals for the handfuls of feminine complainants say that’s “inconceivable” and argue the house owners would have finished due diligence checks when it purchased the enterprise in 2010.
Legal professionals allege Fayed’s assaults occurred around the globe – together with within the US, Canada, France, Malaysia and Dubai.
“It is very a lot a worldwide case, it’s not simply the UK. It occurred all around the world,” lawyer Bruce Drummond informed the BBC.
For Catherine, she says her expertise happened in Harrods’ flagship retailer in London.
When she informed her line supervisor about her incident, it was dismissed – and she or he regards it as one instance of a wider tradition of “collusion” at Harrods which enabled Fayed’s behaviour.
“I defined to [my line manager] what occurred… and he simply utterly sort of brushed it off and was sort of like ‘oh you recognize, that’s simply what he’s like'”, she informed the BBC’s Radio 4 In the present day programme.
She had been “in a really junior function” when one weekend she was informed to deliver retailer musicians as much as Fayed’s workplace, after which he requested her quick return.
“So then I went again up and we went into a bit room on the again, simply him and I,” she mentioned.
Fayed invited her to take a job in his workplace, she mentioned – a suggestion she turned down as a result of it was not in her space of experience.
“He then held my hand and requested if I had a boyfriend and I kind of politely laughed and mentioned sure.
“And he mentioned ‘No, you don’t have a boyfriend, I’m your boyfriend you don’t want that donkey’ – which was unusual and clearly I’m increasingly more uncomfortable by this level.”
She mentioned Fayed then kissed her on the brow, informed her to consider the job and handed her £300 in money – which she returned shortly after together with a proper rejection of the submit.
“He kissed me on the brow. I do know lots of people have talked about this complete factor about this fatherly strategy however I’ve boundaries. It was horrible, and you recognize, holding my hand, being in very shut proximity, was not regular,” she mentioned.
She says she contacted the BBC this week so as to add to the load of accusations in opposition to Fayed.
Greater than 20 girls have informed the BBC the businessman sexually assaulted or raped them whereas they labored at Harrods luxurious division retailer in London.
A authorized group is representing at the very least 37 girls who’ve engaged in civil authorized claims. They are saying they’ve obtained 150 new enquiries for the reason that BBC’s investigation was revealed final week.
Catherine mentioned she felt her expertise in comparison with the rape allegations “looks like completely nothing – however I feel it is vital in sort of increase that proof of a sample of behaviour and tradition.”
She condemned the office setting at Harrods which she mentioned had allowed such actions to often occur – claims which were rejected by the division retailer. Harrods was owned by Fayed from 1985 till 2010 and is now beneath new possession – which mentioned this week the corporate operated in another way to the way it had beneath Fayed.
Catherine informed the BBC: “It was sort of identified that he behaved in a sure method and preyed upon younger girls and younger girls have been recruited to work on the store ground or to work in his workplace.
“And that appeared to go with none sort of query.”
Her feedback have been echoed by different accusers who’ve mentioned many individuals in Harrods knew about Fayed’s alleged behaviour. Considerations have additionally been raised about his conduct at Fulham Soccer Membership, which he used to personal.
“I feel that there have been individuals at Harrods on the time who have been enablers and they’re as responsible as Fayed as a result of they weren’t simply passive onlookers. They have been really serving to woman after woman into a complete nightmare,” Catherine mentioned.
She has referred to as on “people” to be recognized and “questioned on their collusion”.
“It’s basically grooming because the proof suggests and they need to face justice,” she added.
Catherine’s testimony comes as extra girls converse out about Fayed’s behaviour. New particulars have additionally emerged of failed efforts by police and prosecutors to carry Fayed to account throughout his life.
A authorized group representing most of the girls the BBC has spoken to outlined their case in opposition to Harrods on Friday.
The shop’s new house owners have mentioned: “These have been the actions of a person who was intent on abusing his energy wherever he operated and we condemn them within the strongest phrases.”
“We additionally acknowledge that in this time his victims have been failed and for this we sincerely apologise.”
Mr Drummond, one of many legal professionals for the ladies, mentioned the variety of allegations rising have been “enormous”.
“That is the worst case of company sexual exploitation of younger girls that… most likely the world has ever seen.”
