Mohamed Al Fayed’s son Omar is ‘horrified’ by sexual abuse allegations

Mohamed Al Fayed’s son said he was “horrified” by allegations of sexual abuse against his late father, which have “challenged the fond memories I had of him”.

Dozens of women have accused the former Harrods owner, who died last year aged 94, of multiple rapes and sexual assaults.

Lawyers who want to file a lawsuit against the department store now represent 60 womenafter a BBC investigation revealed the claims of over 20 women last week.

Omar Al Fayed said his father was a “wonderful father,” but added that this “does not stop me from making an objective assessment of the circumstances.”

In a public statementThe 36-year-old 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 covering up such acts.

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

Omar Al Fayed expressed his support for “any legitimate investigation into these allegations,” adding: “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 and all victims deserve their day in court.”

He also criticized the BBC for its extensive reporting on the allegations.

Omar Al Fayed was appointed to the board of Harrods in 2006 and remained there until his father sold the company in 2010.

The department store’s current owners said they were “completely appalled” by the allegations and condemned his actions “in the strongest possible terms.”

They admitted that at the time Harrods was owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, “as a company we failed our staff who were his victims and for that we sincerely apologize”.

They added: “Today’s Harrods is a very different organization to the one that Al Fayed owned and controlled between 1985 and 2010. It is an organization that wants to put the well-being of our people at the heart of everything we do.”

Harrods said it had a compensation scheme in place for former employees who say they were attacked by Mohamed Al Fayed and that it had already reached financial settlements with the majority of people who contacted the company since 2023.

Victims and former employees said he took advantage of young women the company hired and threatened them not to speak out about his behavior.

Lawyers representing many of them said the billionaire used surveillance at Harrods and intrusive medical exams to carry out “systematic abuse.”

They also said there was “credible evidence” that cases of abuse occurred at other businesses and properties once owned by Al Fayed.