Mohamed Al Fayed: The Disturbing Mix of Savile, Epstein, and Weinstein
Mohamed Al-Fayed, the late billionaire and former owner of Harrods, is being accused of heinous acts of sexual abuse that have drawn comparisons to notorious figures like Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein. The scale of the allegations against Al-Fayed was revealed by lawyers representing former Harrods employees who claim they were raped or sexually assaulted by him. The legal team also represents women who worked at the Paris Ritz, with investigations extending to all entities associated with Al-Fayed, including Fulham Football Club.
Global Scale of Abuse
Victims from various countries around the world, including the US, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, Italy, and Romania, have come forward with allegations of abuse by Al-Fayed in locations such as London, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and St Tropez. The legal team is currently representing around 37 former employees, with more individuals coming forward with new allegations of sexual violence at properties owned by Al-Fayed globally. Shockingly, some of the victims were as young as 15 and 16 years old when they were targeted by Al-Fayed.
During a press conference in London, Bruce Drummond KC described the case as one of the worst instances of corporate sexual exploitation ever seen. He emphasized that the scope of the abuse was vast and not limited to a specific geographical location. Dean Armstrong KC also expressed his shock at the horrific nature of the case, comparing it to the disturbing patterns seen in the cases of Savile, Epstein, and Weinstein.
Grooming and Abuse
Barrister Maria Mulla detailed the disturbing practices that would take place after women were selected by Al-Fayed’s recruitment team. Private medical examinations, including invasive procedures like cervical smears and ovary checks, were conducted on the women before being employed in roles such as Al-Fayed’s secretary or personal assistant. These medical files were then shared with Al-Fayed, who would make degrading and humiliating comments based on the information obtained from the examinations.
Once hired, the women would allegedly be subjected to a process of grooming by Al-Fayed. Natacha, a survivor who spoke at the press conference, shared her harrowing experience of working as Al-Fayed’s personal assistant. She recalled feeling excitement at the opportunity but soon realized she had entered a den of deceit and manipulation. Natacha described how Al-Fayed would exert control over her through fear and threats, culminating in a terrifying encounter in his private sitting room.
Allegations of sexual assault have also been made by women who worked at other establishments owned by Al-Fayed, including the Ritz Paris hotel. The legal team is actively pursuing all leads and not ruling out the involvement of other parties in the case.
Call for Accountability
US lawyer Gloria Allred, known for her work on high-profile cases like R Kelly and Harvey Weinstein, described Harrods under Al-Fayed’s chairmanship as a toxic and abusive environment. She highlighted the severity of the allegations against Al-Fayed, which include serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and the abuse of minors. Allred emphasized the need for meaningful accountability for the victims and called out the current owners of Harrods for their failure to address the abuse that occurred under Al-Fayed’s leadership.
In response to the allegations, Harrods issued a statement expressing their shock and condemnation of the abuse. They acknowledged the failure to protect the victims during Al-Fayed’s tenure and vowed to take steps to address the situation. The statement also hinted at the possibility that the new owners of Harrods may have been aware of the abuse but chose to turn a blind eye for financial gain or historical prestige.
The allegations against Mohamed Al-Fayed paint a disturbing picture of exploitation and abuse on a global scale. The survivors who have come forward are seeking justice and accountability for the trauma they endured at the hands of a man once regarded as a powerful figure in the business world. As the legal proceedings unfold, it is crucial to support the victims and ensure that those responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable for their actions.
