Assaulted by the late Mohammed Al fayed when he was the boss of the Luxury Department Store harrods. More than 20 women who worked for him have already come forward as part of a Bbc Investigation accusing the egyptian billionaire, who died last year, of multiple counts of rape and attempted rape during his 25 Year Reign at harrods. Many claim that during that time the company helped cover uP Allegations of abuse. 0ur Correspondent simonjones has this report and a warning that it contains descriptions of sexual violence. He owned one of the most famous stores in the world. He loved being in the limelight. But some of Mohamed Al fayeds former workers have described him as a monster, a sleazebag, a predator who would use his power to stop them speaking out. Now more women are having their voices heard. One who were calling melanie has asked to remain anonymous. I was sexually assaulted by being groped by Al Fayed at his Park Lane apartment. It was late in 2007. At the time she was in her 20s and in herfirstjob. She reported what happened to the met last year. The police then told me that they had intended to arrest him. They had enough evidence. But they couldnt because he was unwell. Al fayed died in August 2023 Aged 94. Melanie contacted the bbc following an investigation which spoke to more than 20 women who said they were sexually assaulted by the billionaire. Five said they were raped. He tried to rape me more than once. And he pushed me in and onto the bed so that i couldnt move. You know, he was 79, nearly 80, and i was 15. The metropolitan police says its aware of various allegations of sexual offences made over a number of years in relation to Mohamed Al fayed. It says each allegation was investigated and, where appropriate, advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service. But those investigations did not lead to any charges. Al fayed owned harrods between 1985 and 2010. In 2008, he was questioned by police over allegations made by a girl whom hed first met when she was 14. Prosecutors decided not to take action. Police received advice from the Crown Prosecution Service again in 2018, 2021 and 2023. Its not clear how many women those cases related to. He was never taken to court. Other women only felt they could come forward after his death. The current owners of harrods say they are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al fayed, and that today it is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by him. They say the store has a process available to women who say they were attacked by Al Fayed, adding, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved. The legal team representing many of the women the bbc has spoken to will set out its next steps at a News Conference later today. Simon jones, bbc news. For more on this, lets speak to our correspondent Azadeh Moshiri. Lets stick to our News Correspondent francis read about what we expect and he will be hosting the Press Conference lets speak to. It is due to start at 10am, we expect that to start very shortly and we will break away to that as soon as that begins. We expected to be the legal team in the Bbc Documentary will be taking all of this forward, so bruce Drummond And Dean armstrong kc, both barristers and some extras with 13. We expect them to set out the legal claim that they are attempting, and a key question will be what is the legal liability of harrods . It is under very different ownership and we expect that to come out in the coming days, but we expect the lawyers to set out what their plan would be. That could be surrounding, for example, questions to answer historically about failing to provide a safe system of work for employees at harrods, we will expect to hear from them about that. Was there a failure to intervene, who knew what, was anyone complicit in the undertaking of these alleged offences . What processes were on place to protect employees, if any, and where they followed . We expect to hear from those barristers in the case. Really interestingly they are being advised by the us attorney and womens Rights Advocate Gloria already was renowned across the us. She has dealt with really high profile cases like the oj simpson trial, arkady� s trial, she really has lots of experience in these high profile trials. R kellys trial. And this is who these barristers are being advised by in the background. As simon said in his report, harrods have put out a statement on all of this, the current owners say they are utterly appalled by the allegations perpetrated by Al Fayed, they say it is a very different Organisation Today to the one ill fired controlled and owned, harrods says it has and owned, harrods says it has a process available to women who say they were attacked by Al Fayed, adding, it has been our priority to settle claims as quickly as possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved. There has been a website created by the legal team which is called harrodssurvivors. Com, they are supporting many of the women who appeared in this but crucially they are asking women to come forward, saying they will be listened to and that after all of these years they can have their voices heard. More than 20 women made these allegations in the Bbc Documentary, ranging from Sexual Assault to rape, and after the documentary adds more people have come forward. And we heard from the met police who said it is aware of various allegations, that each were investigated but it did not lead to charges. Mohamed Al Fayed owns harrods between 1985 and 2010 and in 2008 he was questioned by police over allegations made by a girl he first met when she was 1a. The cps did not take that forward, we are still waiting for details about the Cpss Involvement but police took advice from the cps again in 2018, 2021, 2023 too but it never went as far as court so the Police Position is it investigated this and took the advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, as it normally would. Mohamed Al Fayed died last year aged 94 and the women who say they were attacked by him will obviously never see him on trial, will never see him on trial, will never see him jailed, he will never see him jailed, he will never face those allegations that the women involved in this documentary say it is important that truth is heard and that gives them some semblance on The Path to Justice. The path to ustice. Frances read with The Path toJustice. Frances read with that The Path toJustice. Frances read with that look The Path toJustice. Frances read with that look ahead, | read with that look ahead, thank you very much. As we have just heard, we expect that Press Conference to begin very shortly, it was timetabled for about 10am but these things often drift. My colleague Azadeh Moshiri will be there for us live when it begins, and has frances just said we expect the legal team involved into these allegations, we expect more details about the claim against the Department Store harrods for allegedly failing to provide a safe system of work for employees at the time when mr Al Fayed was the owner. We expect to hear from lawyers for those women and also some of the survivors themselves who have come forward. Israel launched fresh Air Strikes across Southern Lebanon overnight in what Security Sources there say were some of the most intense bombings since the start of the Gaza War in october. These are the latest pictures of israeli strikes on the Southern Lebanese Border Village of rihan. The Israeli Military says its warplanes struck hundreds of hezbollah sites, including a weapons storage facility. It all comes after the leader of hezbollah proscribed as a Terrorist Organisation by some western governments gave his first public reaction to the wave of attacks across lebanon. At least 37 people have been killed and thousands injured by Exploding Pagers and walkie talkies. Hassan nasrallah described the attacks as a massacre and that they could amount to a Declaration Of War. Daniel de simone reports. With this weeks deadly explosions in lebanon, the conflict between Israel And Hezbollah has entered a dangerous new stage. Hezbollah� s leader gave his first response to the blasts targeting his members. Translation Crime Wars or Declaration Of War . You can call it anything, and it deserves those words. He said hezbollah wont Stop Fighting until israel stops targeting gaza. That Press Conference regarding allegations against Mohamed Al fayed is due to begin. Lets take you to Azadeh Moshiri. Reporter they are likely to detail the legal claim they have against harrods for failing to provide a safe system of work for the women and the bbc has gathered evidence that harrods not only failed to intervene but also help to carry up at some of the allegations of abuse. And since the initial report came out, more women have come forward to the bbc and testimonies from more than 24 employees reveal a pattern of not only predatory behaviour but also Sexual Abuse by Mohamed Al fayed. Harrods has said it apologises, it is utterly appalled by the allegations and it has also set P Allegations and it has also set up a process to settle these claims. They are starting to speak, so lets take a listen. Good morning and thank you for coming today. My name is Dean Armstrong kc and i am one of the barristers representing many of the survivors of Mohamed Al fayeds Sexual Abuse during his time as chairman of harrods. Our clients include most of the survivors who spoke out on the Bbc Documentary and we are delighted to have representatives of those who make that documentary with us today. And all of the survivors we have are Here Today. Before we have are Here Today. Before we begin i would like to draw attention to a website we have set up which supports the survivors of this horrible abuse. To anyone who watched the Bbc Documentary and think they may have been impacted in a similar way, please know you are not alone. There is never community here to support you. A website can be found at www. Harrodssurvivors. Com. So there are two ss in that. There is also a Telephone Number attached to the website to assist anybody who requires assistance. The Telephone Number is 0203 468 0493. There you will find ways to contact us confidentially, and we must stress that words, confidentially, to know you are not alone. I am honoured to be joined this morning by a number of my colleagues, you will be introduced shortly to the most important people in the room, the survivors, but first let me introduce you to the lawyers who will be dealing with the civil claims. On the panel to my right, my colleague Bruce Drummond, at The End, my other colleague maria muller, who has been working with me as we investigated the vast web of abuse. Maria mulla. We are honoured and privileged to be joined today by gloria already, the leading womens Rights Attorney in the world. And someone with immense experience, i would suggest, unrivalled experience, in dealing with these types of claims. Most importantly we will also be hearing from natasha, who has bravely, and we stress that words, come Here Today to share her story with the world. Our aim and our single aim is to seekJustice for the survivors of the Sexual Abuses of Mohamed Al fayed. Who we say was enabled by an unsafe system of work which harrods established, maintained, certainly acquiesced to and we say facilitated during his chairmanship. We believe the system not only enabled but potentially allowed to a knowing extent the widespread Sexual Abuse of the survivors we represent. I have many years of practice and i have never seen a case as horrific as this. This case combines some of the most horrific elements of the most horrific elements of the most horrific elements of the cases involving jimmy savile, Jeffrey Epstein and harvey weinstein. Savile because in this case as in that, the institution, we say, knew about the behaviour. Epstein because in that case as well as this there was a Procurement System in place to source the women and girls. As you know, there are some very young victims of this, for abuse. And weinstein because it was a person at the very top of the organisation who was abusing his power. We will say its plainly, Mohamed Al fayed was a monster. He was a monster. But he was a monster enabled by a system that pervaded harrods. Those of you who have seen the magnificent documentary we saw Last Night made no and may remember very clearly the words of the manager who said the following, anyone who tells you they didnt know what was going on is lying. Im going to stress that word of his, lying. Now, we welcome, but we welcome is very much a first step, the admission at The End of The Programme Last Night Given by harrods that they had, to quote to them, failed these women. However, they also claim that they didnt know about Al Fayed Points Behaviour until 2023. We will say its plainly, that is simply not true. The Bbc Documentary, as well as all the other material that you will be aware of, we certainly are aware of, we certainly are aware of, we certainly are aware of, makes that clear. This was systematic abuse. Well before that time, and within the knowledge of harrods, we would say, well before that time. Thanks to bold journalism and the many impediments that that bold journalism faced in the day, reports of Al Fayeds behaviour was made public as early as 1995. Itv has a programme in 1997 covering the matters. Publicists like Max Clifford thought it was funny and joked about it publicly. Al fayed was accused of Indecent Assault against a 15 year old girl who bravely made her claims in the documentary Last Night. Channel4 claims in the documentary Last Night. Channel 4 reported on more allegations in 2018. We say beyond per adventure that those who controlled Harrods New of Mohamed Al fayeds inappropriate behaviour. And we say that choosing to only address the accusations now is an insult to all of the brave survivors who came forward with their stories all those years ago, throughout and up to now. We are absolutely clear in our view that whatever is said, and whatever was said in that statement at The End of the programme, it shouldnt have come to this. We are here to say publicly and to the world, or to harrods in front of the world, that it is time they took responsibility and time they set matters right. And thatis they set matters right. And that is something they should do as soon as possible. They need to face up, to accept the responsibility that they have full culpability for the abuse that these women suffered. Today we are going to set out our claim and how our claim shows an abject failure of corporate responsibility, and i would invite you to underline those words. An abject failure of corporate responsibility and a failure to provide a safe system of work. It is my pleasure than to introduce next my colleague, barrister Bruce Drummond. My colleague, barrister Bruce Drummond my colleague, barrister Bruce Drummond. Thank you. I mean wow, drummond. Thank you. I mean wow. Simply drummond. Thank you. I mean wow, simply wow. Drummond. Thank you. I mean wow, simply wow. I drummond. Thank you. I mean wow, simply wow. I have drummond. Thank you. I mean i wow, simply wow. I have worked on this wow, simply wow. I have worked on this case wow, simply wow. I have worked on this case now for over a year on this case now for over a year talking to some of these amazing year talking to some of these amazing ladies, and to see them all sitting amazing ladies, and to see them all sitting Here Today is just incredible. Well done, All Of You incredible. Well done, All Of You i incredible. Well done, All Of You. I would also like to echo what you. I would also like to echo what my you. I would also like to echo what my Colleague Dean has said in saying what my Colleague Dean has said in saying that this is one of the in saying that this is one of the worst in saying that this is one of the worst cases of corporate sexual the worst cases of corporate sexual exploitation that certainly i and perhaps the world certainly i and perhaps the world has ever seen. It was absolutely horrific and i cannot absolutely horrific and i Cannot Stress that word you know Cannot Stress that word you know it Cannot Stress that word you know. It was horrific. It is horrific know. It was horrific. It is horrific because the acts carried horrific because the acts carried out against these young women carried out against these young women and girls, and i say girls women and girls, and i say girls because most of them were only 19 girls because most of them were only 19 to girls because most of them were only 19 to 24 at the time, some were only 19 to 24 at the time, some were as only 19 to 24 at the time, some were as young as 15 and 16, it is horrific were as young as 15 and 16, it is horrific because the system, and it is horrific because the system, and it was is horrific because the system, and it was a system that procured them, was enabling the abuse procured them, was enabling the abuse of procured them, was enabling the abuse of these young women and it is horrific abuse of these young women and it is horrific because the effect it is horrific because the effect that this Sexual Abuse and Of Effect that this Sexual Abuse and of harrods Institutional Betrayal and of harrods Institutional Betrayal have had on our Clients Betrayal have had on our clients. These effects have lasted clients. These effects have lasted years and in some instances for decades and even continue instances for decades and even continue to this day. And you must continue to this day. And you must remember that when you are looking must remember that when you are looking up must remember that when you are looking up this type of case, it is not looking up this type of case, it is notjust something that happens it is notjust something that happens and then goes away all we get happens and then goes away all we get over. This has life changing effects. Some of the survivors changing effects. Some of the survivors ended up in psychiatric care. Some have been psychiatric care. Some have been able to have intimate relationships, some continue to suffer relationships, some continue to suffer from nightmares, depression and anxiety. We are here depression and anxiety. We are Here Today to say to the world that this Here Today to say to the world that this was not right. This should that this was not right. This should never have happened and harrods should never have happened and harrods must accept responsibility for the damage these responsibility for the damage these women have suffered. I would these women have suffered. I would also like to say a huge thank would also like to say a huge thank you to someone who is with thank you to someone who is with us thank you to someone who is with us today for all of his investigative work, to the bbc who have investigative work, to the bbc who have been amazing and, most importantly, to the survivors for allowing me to be part of a team for allowing me to be part of a team to for allowing me to be part of a team to represent them. As you saw in team to represent them. As you saw in the team to represent them. As you saw in the documentary, keaton has worked tirelessly to deliver has worked tirelessly to deliverJustice for these women. Keaton, you are a legend. Women. Keaton, you are a legend. And we would not be here legend. And we would not be here without you. So first meeting here without you. So first Meeting Keaton about this case, i have Meeting Keaton about this case, i have worked with him, and after i have worked with him, and after first i have worked with him, and after first speaking to one of the survivors and hearing the story the survivors and hearing the Story My the survivors and hearing the Story My heart sank and my Blood Story my heart sank and my blood boiled. Itold myself Story My heart sank and my blood boiled. I told myself i would blood boiled. I told myself i would do everything i could for Justice would do everything i could for Justice-and-accountability'>Justice And Accountability for all of Justice-and-accountability'>Justice And Accountability for all of the survivors who have been all of the survivors who have been left all of the survivors who have been left at the hands of a monster been left at the hands of a monster like Al Fayed. Realising the significance of the case i was about to embark upon, the case i was about to embark upon, i the case i was about to embark upon, i approached the case i was about to embark upon, iapproached dean, a highly upon, iapproached dean, a highly respected qc, and importantly a wealth of experience in dealing with horrible cases. And then maria, who has horrible cases. And then maria, who has been amazing. We needed a team who has been amazing. We needed a team to who has been amazing. We needed a team to take on this system, to then a team to take on this system, to then extend that to say we would to then extend that to say we would very welcome the input of one of would very welcome the input of one of the would very welcome the input of one of the worlds leading. Probably one of the worlds leading. Probably the worlds leading female probably the worlds leading female Rights Lawyer in the world female Rights Lawyer in the world who is amongst the top Advocate World who is amongst the top advocate for womens rights that advocate for womens rights that i advocate for womens rights that i have ever come across. And that i have ever come across. And happily and gladly she is here and happily and gladly she is Here Today, bless her. She has jumped Here Today, bless her. She has jumped on Here Today, bless her. She has jumped On Board to help these ladies jumped On Board to help these ladies. So. So that is why i am ladies. So. So that is why i am here, ladies. So. So that is why i am here, anyway, ready for the next am here, anyway, ready for the next Stage Am here, anyway, ready for the next stage of this. I will answer next stage of this. I will answer questions afterwards but for now answer questions afterwards but for now i answer questions afterwards but for now i will hand over to maria for now i will hand over to maria. ~ ,. , for now i will hand over to maria. ~ ,. Maria. Thank you very much, bruce. Maria. Thank you very much, bruce i maria. Thank you very much, bruce. I would maria. Thank you very much, bruce. I would like maria. Thank you very much, bruce. I would like to maria. Thank you very much, bruce. I would like to talk. Bruce. I would like to talk about the system in place at harrods at the time. Once selected for their role by the special Recruitment Process we have been able to identify, the women would be sent to have a private medical examination. Medical examinations would be undertaken by three or four private doctors we have been able to identify, one of whom was named Dr Anne Coxin in the documentary Last Night. The women were derived none the wiser, expecting this to be bad to check their weight, Blood Pressure or heights the women would arrive none the wiser. They would then be told that the examination would involve a full internal screening, including a full cervical smear, sometimes having their ovaries checked, and a full sexual health screening. This was for their role that they had been offered as secretary, Personal Assistant or even on occasions interior designer. For some women, this would have been theirfirst ever smear women, this would have been their first ever smear test. If their first ever smear test. If the women would query why the tests were necessary, they would be told something along the lines of he wants to make sure that you are clean. The results were merely provided to them personally, that Mohamed Al fayed and his neighbours would know those results the results were rarely provided to them personally. Because if there was ever anything untoward about those results, he would make degrading and humiliating comments to the women personally about what he had been told about their medical examination. As we know, the grooming, Sexual Assaults and threatening behaviour were varied and plentiful, but they all followed a similar pattern of events that we have been able to identify. The surveillance in place at the time was absolutely extensive. The Phone Lines were booked, there was Video Surveillance in place throughout the offices, aside, of course, from the chairmans office, where there was no video at all. Ladies were frequently followed and we have Witness Evidence that we have obtained from members of the Security Team who had the job of keeping an eye on those ladies to check what they were doing, to even check if they were in relationships. One woman we know was 16 or 17 and she was sent to be followed by a member of the Security Team to check if she was in a relationship. That member of the Security Team would have to report back to Mohamed Al fayed on what he heard. I should also say that this member of the Security Team had the job of having to listen in to the Womens Phone lines. If there were any conversations that he heard that sounded untoward or if the women dared to speak negatively on those Phone Lines about Mohamed Al fayed, he would need to report that back. He recalls hearing the women often having to speak in some kind of code. In relation to the threats the women received, if they ever attempted to complain about the Sexual Assault, we know from our work we have undertaken that they would receive threats along the lines of, you will never work in london again. I know where you and yourfamily live. You and your family live. Often, they would be demoted. And false allegations would be made about them, so that they had no choice settle but to
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