Skip to main content

UK police ask potential victims to come forward after Harrods boss assault allegations

1 min Mena Today

British police on Thursday called for any potential victims or survivors with allegations against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed to come forward in light of recent media reports about the Egyptian billionaire.

Mohamed Al Fayed, Reuters/Luke MacGregor

Mohamed Al Fayed, Reuters/Luke MacGregor

British police on Thursday called for any potential victims or survivors with allegations against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed to come forward in light of recent media reports about the Egyptian billionaire.

Lawyers for alleged victims last week said Al Fayed sexually abused female staff at his London department store Harrods and threatened consequences if they tried to complain. He died last year aged 94.

"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," said Stephen Clayman, head of specialist crime at London's Metropolitan Police.

"We have specialist teams to ensure all those victims who make contact with us are supported in the best way possible."

According to a BBC documentary which aired last week, Harrods failed to intervene and helped to cover up abuse allegations during Al Fayed's ownership between 1985 and 2010.

He always denied the accusations.

Reporting by William James and Andrew MacAskill

Related

United Arab Emirates

Diplomatic rupture: Algeria cuts UAE relations

Algeria decided to sever diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates after what it described as the "exhaustion of all means to preserve bilateral ties", Algerian state media said on Thursday, without giving details of the reason for the move.

United Arab Emirates

Spain cracks down on cocaine financing network

Spanish police said on Tuesday they had dismantled an illegal banking network that served some of Europe's biggest cocaine traffickers, arresting 21 people in several countries including in the Middle East and uncovering assets worth €20 million ($23.2 million).

Tunisia

Journalists rally as Tunisia's media crackdown deepens

Tunisian journalists protested on Tuesday to demand the release of prominent journalist Mohamed Yousfi, whose arrest has become a new flashpoint amid accusations that President Kais Saied is cracking down on the country's remaining independent voices.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.