UK: Harrods' Late Owner Mohamed Al-Fayed Accused Of Abusing Over 100 Women

A shocking BBC documentary has shed light on alleged serious sexual misconduct against the late owner of Harrods and Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, who passed away in August 2023 at the age of 94. Over 400 women and witnesses have stepped forward with accounts of rape and abuse, some spanning decades. London’s Metropolitan Police officially confirmed a revised investigation into the accusations, identifying 90 survivors thus far. 

Mohamed Al-Fayed Accused of Abusing Over 100 Women 

The alleged crimes attributed to Al-Fayed are said to have occurred between 1977 and 2014. Of the 111 reported cases under investigation, 21 complaints were filed with the police before Al-Fayed’s death, while an additional 90 survivors came out after the documentary aired in September. The scale of these accusations reflects a total systemic injustice.

Complicity and Corruption

In addition to investigating Al-Fayed’s actions, law enforcement is also involved in investigating the roles of five unnamed individuals suspected of facilitating his crimes. These individuals allegedly aided Al-Fayed in targeting victims, including staff members who resisted his advances. The Guardian reported instances of corrupt officers assisting Al-Fayed, potentially compromising investigations in exchange for favours, such as luxury hampers from Harrods.

Detectives are now reviewing historical cases to identify lapses and hold accountable any current or former police officers involved in corruption. The Directorate of Professional Standards is taking this probe seriously to rebuild public trust in law enforcement.

Police Response and Ongoing Investigations

Commander Stephen Clayman of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command emphasized the investigation’s commitment to supporting survivors, even though Al-Fayed is no longer alive to face prosecution. He acknowledged past failures that may have broken public trust but assured the public of a thorough and transparent inquiry into these allegations.

The investigation has reviewed over 50,000 pages of evidence, including victim testimonies and material from archived investigations. Detectives are pursuing leads to ensure justice for the survivors and accountability for any complicity in the alleged crimes.

A Broader Scandal

Accusations have also been levelled against Al-Fayed’s late brother, Salah Fayed, who co-owned Harrods during the alleged abuses, and his surviving brother, Ali Fayed, now 80, who is accused of being aware of the trafficking of women. These new claims further expose the deeply troubling nature of the abuse.

A Legacy Of Abuse

The case highlights a chilling reality: the ease with which power and corruption can hide legacies of abuse. For victims, even the idea of seeking justice against a figure as ‘powerful’ as Al-Fayed can feel impossible. The immense wealth, connections, and influence such individuals wield often create a culture of fear and silence, allowing them to escape accountability for years.

This case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern where high-profile billionaires, both past and present, escape justice for heinous crimes. The complicity of systems designed to protect the vulnerable—police forces, legal institutions, and even societal norms—reveals a failure that is deeply rooted in the culture we have enabled. When law enforcement itself becomes a participant in enabling abuse, survivors are left without a safe haven to turn to.

Justice demands not only the pursuit of those directly responsible but also a relentless examination of the systems that have enabled such crimes to persist in the shadows.