The woman believes police nearly arrested him over her allegations just days before he died in August 2023, she told the BBC. More than 20 female former employees have spoken to the broadcaster as part of a special investigation, coming forward with allegations of assault and physical violence at properties in London and Paris. Five women alleged they had been raped by Mr Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94.
At a press conference on Friday, a legal team involved in the investigation is expected to share more details about a claim against the luxury department store for allegedly failing to provide a safe system of work for its employees. After the publication of the investigation on Thursday, a woman who the BBC is calling Melanie came forward to say she had been subjected to a “sickening” sexual assault by the Egyptian billionaire. The woman worked at Harrods prior to 2010, and met Mr Al Fayed at work meetings on two occasions, before being summoned to his apartment, it was reported.
Melanie, who described the businessman as a “sleazebag” and “slimy”, said: “He sat down next to me...
He had asked that I return a couple of weeks later to stay at the apartments the night before the Harrods sale. “And he would not really let me leave until I agreed to that. “As I stood to leave, that’s when he put his hands on my breast and said some pretty disgusting things.
And I was in complete shock. I just turned around and walked out.” Melanie decided to go.