Claims towards Mohamed Al Fayed attain UK court docket for first time

Allegations of abuse towards Mohamed Al Fayed and his brother Salah have been heard in a UK court docket for the primary time in a civil case being introduced towards Harrods.

A girl is suing Harrods Ltd for damages for private accidents she alleges she suffered whereas working for the division retailer that the Fayeds owned.

A Excessive Court docket listening to on Wednesday, the place an utility for anonymity for the claimant was granted, heard allegations that she was pressured to terminate a being pregnant in addition to being drugged and raped by Salah Fayed.

It’s believed to be the primary declare towards Harrods to achieve a UK court docket involving an alleged sufferer of Mohamed Al Fayed, who was by no means charged over rape and sexual assault allegations and died in 2023.

Solicitors Leigh Day, which represents the claimant, has beforehand stated it had been contacted by greater than 100 girls.

A separate authorized case is being introduced by the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, which has beforehand stated it’s representing greater than 400 girls.

Al Fayed, who died aged 94, owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010.

Salah Fayed, who died of pancreatic most cancers in 2010, was one in every of three Fayed brothers who bought the posh Knightsbridge retailer in 1985.

Claims of sexual offences by Al Fayed arose in a PJDM documentary, after his demise, which revealed the extent of his predatory behaviour.

It was solely after the PJDM broadcast in September that the Metropolitan Police revealed it had been approached by 21 girls, earlier than Al Fayed’s demise, who accused him of sexual offences together with rape, sexual assault and trafficking. Regardless of this, he was by no means charged with any offences.

Because the documentary aired, 90 additional girls have contacted the power, with allegations stretching way back to 1977. A wider investigation by the Met into the claims towards Al Fayed is ongoing.

Harrods’ new house owners have beforehand stated they’re “appalled” by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether or not any present members of workers have been concerned.

The retailer has declined to say whether or not motion has been taken towards any particular person or when the evaluate may be accomplished.

In an announcement on Wednesday, a Harrods spokesperson stated it “helps the bravery of all survivors in coming ahead”.

“These claims level to the breadth of abuse by Mohamed Fayed and once more increase critical allegations towards his brother, Salah Fayed,” the spokesperson added.

“The image that has emerged means that this sample of abusive behaviour occurred wherever they operated.”

The Harrods spokesperson stated it inspired “survivors to take a look at each acceptable avenue to them of their pursuit of justice, whether or not that be Harrods, the police or the Fayed household and property”.

“We can’t and wouldn’t touch upon particular person instances,” the spokeperson stated.

In November, the Met Police stated it was investigating at least five people it believes might have assisted or enabled Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged sexual offences.