Lawyers representing alleged victims of Mohamed al Fayed have revealed that they have been contacted by more than 400 individuals, including both alleged victims and witnesses. The Justice for Harrods Survivors group held a press conference where they disclosed that the people reaching out to them were from various locations associated with Fayed, such as Harrods and Fulham FC, which he previously owned.
The allegations against Fayed came to light following a BBC investigation and documentary where multiple women accused him of abuse. Dean Armstrong KC, one of the lawyers, announced that the initial letter of claim has been sent to Harrods, initiating the formal legal process on behalf of the survivors. Armstrong expressed disappointment in the lack of support from society for the survivors and highlighted the obstacles faced in pursuing justice for them.
Bruce Drummond, another speaker at the conference, shared that the number of enquiries has escalated from four initial allegations to 421. The claims predominantly originate from the UK but have also been reported from the US, Canada, Asia, Australia, and other parts of Europe. Drummond emphasized the severity of the situation, labeling it as an “industrial scale of abuse” enabled by a system that facilitated such misconduct.
The Justice for Harrods Survivors group asserted that they possess credible evidence pointing to instances of abuse by Fayed at various locations, including his properties in London and Surrey, his aircraft, the Ritz Hotel in Paris, and his private yacht. Drummond described Fayed’s behavior as targeting every young woman in his vicinity, indicating a pattern of abuse.
Among those who have come forward with allegations against Fayed are Bianca Gascoigne, daughter of Paul Gascoigne, and former Fulham Women captain Ronnie Gibbons. Gascoigne recounted being groomed and sexually assaulted while working at Harrods as a teenager, while Gibbons alleged being sexually assaulted on two occasions. Additionally, 21 women had previously reported sex crime allegations to the Metropolitan Police between 2005 and 2023.
In response to the allegations, Harrods expressed profound dismay and distanced itself from Fayed’s tenure as owner, emphasizing that the organization has undergone significant changes since his ownership. The case continues to unfold as more individuals step forward to share their experiences, shedding light on the widespread impact of the alleged misconduct.
