Mohamed Al Fayed, the Egyptian billionaire who owned the luxury department store for more than 25 years, has been accused of rape and sexual assault by numerous former Harrods employees. More than 20 women have spoken to the BBC 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, the broadcaster reported.
Mr Al Fayed, who died in 2023, had previously been accused of sexually assaulting and groping multiple women. A 2015 police investigation did not lead to any charges. Harrods' current owners said they are "utterly appalled" by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by the late billionaire, adding: "As a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.
" In July 2023, Harrods began settling claims with women who came forward with claims of sexual abuse at the hands of Mr Al Fayed. Rachel, not her real name, told the BBC she was raped after staying at one of Mr Al Fayed's apartments after a late shift at work. "I made it obvious that I didn't want that to happen.
I did not give consent. I just wanted it to be over," she said. "I remember feeling his body on me, the weight of him.
Just hearing him make these noises. And just going somewhere else in my head." In a statement, Harrods said: "We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed.
"These were the actions of an i.