Mohamed Al-Fayed, whose son died with Princess Diana, accused of multiple rapes

A BBC investigation has revealed over a dozen allegations of rape and sexual assault against Mohamed Al-Fayed, the former owner of Harrods and father of Dodi Fayed, who died alongside Princess Diana in a 1997 car crash.

Al-Fayed, who passed away last year at 94, had faced accusations of sexual misconduct during his lifetime. However, the BBC documentary Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods, airing Thursday, presents the most extensive collection of allegations to date.

More than 20 women who previously worked for Al-Fayed told the BBC that he sexually assaulted them, with many claiming they were raped.

Harrods, which Al-Fayed sold to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund in 2010, expressed being "utterly appalled" by the allegations and offered an apology to the alleged victims.

“These actions reflect an individual who abused his power, and we condemn them strongly,” the department store stated. “We also recognize that during this period, as a business, we failed to protect our employees who were victimized, and for that, we sincerely apologize.” Harrods emphasized that the company has since undergone significant changes.

Harrods is currently facing several civil claims from women alleging abuse by Al-Fayed, and accusations that the store helped cover up his crimes. The retailer stated that its priority is to settle these claims quickly, avoiding prolonged legal proceedings for the victims.

The Allegations

Former employees shared with the BBC that it was widely known Al-Fayed was abusing women, but a climate of fear at Harrods prevented them from speaking out.

Several former staff members, both male and female, described how Al-Fayed would frequently tour the Harrods sales floor, selecting young women he found attractive and promoting them to his office.

The alleged assaults took place in various locations, including Harrods' offices, Al-Fayed’s properties in London, Paris, and the Ritz hotel, which he owned.

Thirteen women reported being sexually assaulted by Al-Fayed at his Park Lane apartment, with four alleging rape, including one of his personal assistants who worked for Harrods in the 1990s.

One victim, referred to as "Rachel" to protect her identity, recounted an incident where Al-Fayed summoned her to his luxury apartment after work. He asked her to sit on the bed, placed his hand on her leg, and then forced himself on her.

"I remember feeling his weight on me, hearing the noises he made," she recalled. "I just went somewhere else in my head. He raped me."