Claims in opposition to Mohamed Al Fayed achieve UK court docket for first time

Allegations of abuse in opposition to Mohamed Al Fayed and his brother Salah had been heard in a UK court docket for the primary time in a civil case being introduced in opposition to Harrods.

A lady is suing Harrods Ltd for damages for private accidents she alleges she suffered whilst running for the dep. retailer that the Fayeds owned.

A Prime Courtroom listening to on Wednesday, the place an software for anonymity for the claimant was once granted, heard allegations that she was once pressured to terminate a being pregnant in addition to being drugged and raped by way of Salah Fayed.

It’s believed to be the primary declare in opposition to Harrods to succeed in a UK court docket involving an alleged sufferer of Mohamed Al Fayed, who was once by no means charged over rape and sexual attack allegations and died in 2023.

Solicitors Leigh Day, which represents the claimant, has in the past stated it have been contacted by way of greater than 100 girls.

A separate criminal case is being introduced by way of the Justice for Harrods Survivors crew, which has in the past stated it’s representing greater than 400 girls.

Al Fayed, who died elderly 94, owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010.

Salah Fayed, who died of pancreatic most cancers in 2010, was once certainly one of 3 Fayed brothers who bought the posh Knightsbridge retailer in 1985.

Claims of sexual offences by way of Al Fayed arose in a BBC documentary, after his demise, which published the level of his predatory behaviour.

It was once handiest after the BBC broadcast in September that the Metropolitan Police published it have been approached by way of 21 girls, prior to Al Fayed’s demise, who accused him of sexual offences together with rape, sexual attack and trafficking. Regardless of this, he was once by no means charged with any offences.

Because the documentary aired, 90 additional girls have contacted the pressure, with allegations stretching way back to 1977. A much wider investigation by way of the Met into the claims in opposition to Al Fayed is ongoing.

Harrods’ new house owners have in the past stated they’re “appalled” by way of the allegations of sexual abuse and feature been investigating since 2023 whether or not any present individuals of team of workers have been concerned.

The store has declined to mention whether or not motion has been taken in opposition to any person or when the assessment may well be finished.

In a observation on Wednesday, a Harrods spokesperson stated it “helps the bravery of all survivors in coming ahead”.

“Those claims level to the breadth of abuse by way of Mohamed Fayed and once more elevate severe allegations in opposition to his brother, Salah Fayed,” the spokesperson added.

“The image that has emerged means that this development of abusive behaviour came about anywhere they operated.”

The Harrods spokesperson stated it inspired “survivors to take a look at each and every suitable street to them of their pursuit of justice, whether or not that be Harrods, the police or the Fayed circle of relatives and property”.

“We can not and would no longer touch upon person circumstances,” the spokeperson stated.

In November, the Met Police stated it was once investigating a minimum of 5 folks it believes can have assisted or enabled Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged sexual offences.