Mohamed al Fayed’s son Omar says he is “horrified” about the allegations against his late father, saying it has “thrown into question the loving memory I had of him”.
A string of accusations against the billionaire former Harrods and Fulham FC owner, who died last year aged 94, have emerged in recent days following an investigation by the BBC.
The claims include five accusations of rape and multiple allegations of sexual abuse. Among those who have come forward are former staff at the luxury department store in Knightsbridge, central London.
Omar Fayed said: “I am horrified and deeply concerned by the allegations recently brought to light against my late father.
“The extent and explicit nature of the allegations are shocking and has thrown into question, the loving memory I had of him.
“How this matter could have been concealed for so long and in so many ways, raises further disturbing questions.”
Omar also said that although he loved his father “very much” and he was a “wonderful dad, that aspect of our relationship… does not blind me from an objective assessment of circumstances”.
He said he stood “unequivocally in support of any legitimate investigation into these allegations”, adding: “The alleged victims and public deserve full transparency and accountability.”
Omar went on: “I will continue to support the principles of truth, justice, accountability, and fairness, regardless of where that journey may lead. No one is above the law.”
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A group of barristers representing the alleged victims has said there has been an “enormous” response to the investigation.
Justice for Harrods Survivors, headed by lawyers including Dean Armstrong KC, Bruce Drummond, Maria Mulla and Gloria Allred, said there are now “60 survivors” as part of the group’s claim against Harrods, “with more to come”.
The group also said “credible evidence” of abuse had emerged from those working at Fayed’s other businesses, including Fulham FC, which he owned between 1997 and 2013.
It comes after the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday it was investigating a number of new allegations made against Fayed, on top of previous reports made by 19 separate women.
The force said it will carry out “full reviews of all existing allegations” of incidents said to have taken place between 1979 and 2013, to ensure there are “no new lines of inquiry based on new information which has emerged”.
Detectives added while it was not possible to bring criminal proceedings against someone who had died, the force would still “fully explore whether any other individuals could be pursued for any criminal offences”.
What happened about the original complaints?
The Met said the initial complaints made by 19 women were reported to them between 2005 and 2023, including three allegations of rape, 15 sexual assaults and one related to trafficking.
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Police approached the Crown Prosecution Service five times, including two occasions where a file of evidence was passed on in 2009 and 2015.
No further action was taken against Fayed in respect of the original complaints.
The current Harrods managing director Michael Ward has said in a previous statement he was “not aware” of the “criminality and abuse” and described it as a “shameful period in the business’s history”.
Mr Ward apologised and said the business “failed our colleagues”.
A spokesperson for Fulham FC told Sky News: “We remain in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected by the reports concerning Mr Al Fayed.”
They added that anyone with information could contact the club or police.
Source Agencies
