Mohamed Al-Fayed’s son says he is ‘horrified’ by allegations of rape and sexual abuse

Mohamed al-Fayed’s son said the multiple allegations of sexual abuse made against his late father had “challenged the fond memories I had of him”.

The former Harrods owner has been accused of multiple rapes and sexual assaults by dozens of women who claimed he exploited young women who worked at the company.

Omar al-Fayed said he was “horrified” and said that although his father was a “wonderful father”, this did not stop him from making an “objective assessment of the circumstances”.

Lawyers representing Mr Fayed’s alleged victims said there were now “60 survivors” and that they had “credible evidence of abuse” at Fulham FC, which the billionaire co-owned with the luxury department store.

It follows a BBC investigation in which 20 women made claims against Mr Fayed, who died last year aged 94. These include five allegations of rape, with some women claiming they were subjected to “intrusive and completely unnecessary” gynecological tests in order to work for the businessman.

In a statement to Sky News, his son, an environmental entrepreneur, said: “The scale and explicit nature of the allegations are shocking and have called into question the fond memories I had of him.”

“How this matter could have been kept secret for so long and in so many ways raises further troubling questions.”

He continued: “Throughout history, people in positions of power have too often been spared the consequences of their actions, and justice has often been delayed or denied to those who have suffered.”

“I firmly believe that anyone found guilty of such reprehensible acts, regardless of status, must be held accountable, including for enabling, enabling or helping to cover up such acts.

He continued: “The alleged victims and the public deserve full transparency and accountability.”

“I will continue to support the principles of truth, justice, accountability and fairness, regardless of where this journey may lead. No one is above the law.”

Gaute Haugenes, former manager of Fulham FC’s women’s team, said extra precautions were taken to protect players during Mr Fayed’s tenure. Mr Fayed bought the Premier League club in 1997 before selling it in 2013.

Fulham FC said: “We are continuing to establish whether anyone at the club is or has been affected by the reports about Mr Al Fayed.”

The Football Association said it was aware of the reports and would remain in contact with Fulham FC to monitor the matter.

Current Harrods chief executive Michael Ward said he was “unaware” of the “crime and abuse” and described it as a “shameful time in the company’s history”.

Mr Ward apologized and said the company had “let our colleagues down”.

In a statement, he said it was clear that Mr. Fayed “presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of consequences and sexual misconduct.”

Harrods said it had a compensation scheme in place for former employees who say they were attacked by Mr Fayed and that it had already reached settlements with a number of people who contacted it with allegations.

On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating a number of new allegations against Mr Fayed, in addition to previous reports.

A spokesman said police would carry out a “full review of all existing allegations” into incidents said to have taken place between 1979 and 2013 to ensure “no new lines of inquiry arise based on new information”.

The Met said it received initial complaints from 19 women between 2005 and 2023, including three allegations of rape, 15 sexual assaults and one related to human trafficking.

Police contacted the Crown Prosecution Service five times, including twice in 2009 and 2015 where an evidence file was forwarded.

No further action was taken against Mr Fayed in relation to the original complaints.