What's happened
More than 20 women have accused the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed of sexual assault and rape in a recent BBC documentary. Former Harrods CEO James McArthur acknowledged Fayed's inappropriate behavior but claimed he was unaware of any sexual abuse during his tenure in 2008. Harrods is now investigating potential staff involvement in the allegations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the BBC, over 20 women have come forward with allegations against Al Fayed, stating he sexually assaulted or raped them during his ownership of Harrods. James McArthur, who served as CEO for a brief period in 2008, described Fayed's behavior as 'abhorrent' but claimed he was unaware of any sexual abuse, stating, 'if I had been, I would have taken action.' The Guardian reported that McArthur expressed horror at the allegations and emphasized the need for justice for the victims. Meanwhile, Harrods is conducting an internal review to investigate whether current staff were involved in covering up the alleged abuse, a move criticized by lawyer Maria Mulla, who represents some of the victims, as lacking impartiality. The New York Post highlighted that the scale of allegations could grow, with Mulla noting that they have already heard from 100 individuals since the documentary aired.
How we got here
The allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed emerged following a BBC documentary featuring testimonies from over 20 women. These claims date back to his ownership of Harrods, which lasted 25 years until his death in 2023. Previous investigations into his conduct had not led to charges.
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