Harrods in talks with more than 250 women over Al-Fayed sexual misconduct claims

Harrods said it was in talks with more than 250 women over claims of sexual misconduct by former owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

The new owners of Harrods in London are involved in talks with more than 250 women to settle their sexual misconduct claims against the upmarket department store’s former boss Mohamed Al-Fayed. The attention the case has attracted has prompted police to re-examine previous complaints against the tycoon.

Upmarket London department store Harrods on Tuesday said it was in discussions with more than 250 women to settle claims of sexual misconduct by former owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

The disclosure came as the daughter of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne said she was assaulted by the late Egyptian billionaire when she worked at the store as a teenager but was threatened about speaking out.

Fayed has been accused of raping and sexually harassing scores of women, earning comparisons with high-profile sex offenders such as the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and US financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The slew of allegations came to light in a BBC documentary aired last month.

Harrods, which is under new ownership, said in a statement: "Since 2023, Harrods settled a number of claims with women who alleged historic sexual misconduct by Fayed.

"I literally felt quite safe in his presence early doors," she told the broadcaster.

(AFP)


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