Harrods boss breaks silence in wake of Mohamed Al Fayed rape claims as cops urge ALL victims to come forward
THE BOSS of Harrods has broken his silence on rape claims made against Mohamed Al Fayed - as police urge potential victims to come forward.
Michael Ward, who worked under Al Fayed for four years, has said he is "deeply sorry for failing colleagues" at the department store.
But he added he was ";not aware of his criminality and abuse".
It comes as five women have spoken out claiming they were raped by Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94.
Their allegations have led to "nearly 200" former staff coming forward to make similar claims against Al Fayed.
In a written statement released today, Mr Ward accused the ex-Harrods chairman of presiding over "a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct".
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He said: “As managing director of Harrods, I wanted to convey my personal horror at the revelations that have emerged over the past week.
"We have all seen the survivors bravely speak about the terrible abuse they suffered at the hands of Harrods former owner Mohamed Fayed. As we have already stated, we failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry.
“As someone who has worked at Harrods since 2006, and therefore worked for Fayed until the change of ownership in 2010, I feel it is important to make it clear that I was not aware of his criminality and abuse.
"While it is true that rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public domain, no charges or allegations were ever put to me by the Police, the CPS, internal channels or others. Had they been, I would of course have acted immediately."
His comments come as the Metropolitan Police also released a statement today.
The force says it has identified 19 allegations which resulted in crimes involving Al Fayed - involving 19 separate women.
The offences, alleged to have taken place between 1979 and 2013, include three allegations of rape, 15 of sexual assault and one of trafficking.
The Met said it approached the Crown Prosecution Service five times between 2005 and 2013, two of which were to pass full files of evidence and the remaining three "for early investigative advice".
But no further action was taken against Al Fayed on each occasion.
Now the force is encouraging any other potential victims to approach them.
A statement adds: "We must ensure we fully explore whether any other individuals could be pursued for any criminal offences."
The Met is also probing the historic allegations, which date back to 1979.
Meanwhile, Mr Ward's statement continues: "Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985 – 2010, operated this business as his own personal fiefdom.
"It is now clear that he presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct. The picture that is now emerging suggests that he did this wherever he operated.
“This was a shameful period in the business’ history, however the Harrods of today is unrecognisable to Harrods under his ownership.
"As detailed new information has come to light over the past 18 months, the business has established a settlement process, designed in consultation with independent external experts in personal injury litigation.
"We encourage former colleagues to contact us using this process so that we can provide the support, and recourse, they need.
Mr Ward said he will “in no way influence” an independent review into the allegations.
Metropolitan Police statement in full
A STATEMENT released by the Metropolitan Police says:
"As a result of numerous allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed being reported in the media, we are now asking any potential victim-survivors who may not have come forward before to do so.
"We recognise the significant step many people have already taken in reporting allegations, and know there are many reasons others may have not yet come forward.
"We must ensure every victim-survivor who has reported offences or is considering reporting has the confidence and ability to speak to us.
"Officers are currently making contact with other organisations, including lawyers representing individuals whose allegations have featured in recent media coverage, to ensure they have the opportunity to speak with us and report any offences.
"Additional, specialist support for those who have made contact with us in the past, along with those who come forward, has been put in place and this will continue as our enquiries progress.
"This support will be provided by specially trained officers with experience in dealing with sexual offences who will work with victim-survivors and provide links to external support agencies should this be required.
"It is important to make clear at this stage that it is not possible for criminal proceedings to be brought against someone who has died.
"This means there is no prospect of any conviction relating to Al Fayed himself.
"However, we must ensure we fully explore whether any other individuals could be pursued for any criminal offences.
"As such, we are carrying out full reviews of all existing allegations reported to us about Al Fayed to ensure there are no new lines of enquiry based on new information which has emerged.
Commander Stephen Clayman said: “We recognise the significance of the allegations made against Mohamed Al Fayed and the impact this has had on those affected.
"It is vital that any victims have a voice and are able to report any allegations if they have not done so before, and know that they will be taken seriously.
"We have specialist teams to ensure all those victims who make contact with us are supported in the best way possible.
“I understand that for many years many people have sought answers in relation to this case. We will do everything possible to update on our progress when we can, but it is crucial we do this thoroughly and we do it right.”
Allegations
At this time we have identified 19 allegations which resulted in crimes being recorded involving Al Fayed relating to 19 separate women that were reported to the Met between 2005 and 2023.
The offences were alleged to have taken place between 1979 and 2013. Of these reports, three were allegations of rape, 15 were sexual assault and one related to trafficking.
Between 2005 and 2023 we approached the Crown Prosecution Service on five occasions – two of these, in 2009 and 2015, were to pass full files of evidence. The remaining three approaches were for early investigative advice.
In all 19 allegations that were reported to police there was no further action taken against Mohamed Al Fayed.
We have now received new allegations from people who have not previously contacted us about Mohamed Al Fayed. We are not confirming the number at this time.
He added: "Alongside this there is an independent review led by a non-executive committee of the Board to further consider the issues arising from the allegations.
"I am not part of the committee conducting this review and will in no way influence its operation or recommendations.
"However, I have provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues.
"I have also stepped back from my charity trustee positions while this review is taking place.”
Alleged victims include former Harrods secretary Lindsay, who told of how Al Fayed sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and groped female staff on a daily basis.
She said he drugged and attempted to rape her on a work trip to Paris.
Dean Armstrong KC, representing the alleged victims, has said he has so far heard from nearly 200 "survivors".
He said: "We have heard from scores and scores, probably up to 200 people coming to us to give us their accounts.
"This was a system in Harrods to facilitate the abuse Al Fayed engaged in."
He described Al Fayed as a "monster", before describing how the case "combines some of the most horrific elements of the cases involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein".
The barrister has also said he is probing "all entities that Al Fayed had involvement in".
That includes Fulham Football Club, which Al Fayed owned from 1997 until 2013.
Who was Mohamed Al Fayed?
MOHAMED AL-FAYED was best known as the owner of luxury department store Harrods and father of Princess Diana's boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed.
The billionaire died in August 2023 at the age of 94, almost 26 years to the day after the passing of his son.
In 1954, Mohamed married Saudi Arabian author Samira Khashoggi.
The pair split after two years but welcomed son Dodi together in 1955.
Dodi was killed alongside Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
He was Samira and Mohamed's only child, but Mohamed went on to have four more kids with his second wife, Heini Wathen.
They married in 1985 and went on to have four children together; Jasmine, Karim, Camilla and Omar.
Heini and Mohamed's romance began after they were introduced by Mohamed's son Dodi.
The couple are portrayed by Hanna Alström and Salim Daw in the sixth and final season of Netflix's The Crown.
Prior to his death, Mohamed lived in a house near Oxted with wife Heini.
The family estate in Surrey, named Barrow Green Court, is where both Mohamed and his son Dodi are buried.
In a statement last week, the club said: "We are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports following the documentary.
"We have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences.
"We are in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected."
Some women have claimed they were subjected to “intrusive and wholly unnecessary” gynaecological tests in order to work for Al Fayed.
They also allege the purpose of the tests was for checking for sexually transmitted infections.
Alleged victims are set to lodge a complaint against Dr Ann Coxon, claiming she has “questions to answer” over the examinations.
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Dr Coxon declined to comment on the matter.
A General Medical Council spokeswoman said: “If we identify any potential fitness to practise concerns about individual doctors, we will thoroughly examine all relevant information and take action as appropriate.”