For the first time after hundreds of women made allegations of Sexual Abuse against former owner mohamed Al Fayed. Michael ward said in a statement the company failed our colleagues and that he wanted to make it clear that he was not aware of criminality and abuse. Our correspondent, helena wilkinson, is in knightsbridge. Helena. This is the first time we have heard from Michael Ward since the Bbc Documentary last week. Let me read you a bit more of the statement we have had in the last hour. He says he wanted to convey his personal horror at the revelations that have emerged over the past week. He says that we have all seen the survivors bravely speak about the terrible abuse they suffered at the hands of former owner mohamed Al Fayed. We failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry. The statement also goes on to say, i feel it is important to make it clear that i was not aware of his criminality and abuse. While it is true rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public d
More women have contacted the bbc, saying that they were 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 ap
Hello, im annita mcveigh, welcome to Bbc News now, three hours of fast moving news, interviews and reaction. Within the past few hours, lawyers representing women who say they were raped or sexually assaulted by the former owner of harrods have described Mohamed Al fayed as a monster. Theyve also urged anyone else with similar claims to come forward. At least 37 women have accused the late billionaire of assaulting them. The case follows a Bbc Investigation in which woman who worked for him came forward accusing the egyptian billionaire, who died last year, of multiple counts of rape and attempted rape, during his 25 Year Reign at harrods. One of the barristers taking part in the News Conference Barriser Maria Mulla explained that when selected for their role, women would be sent for a private medical examination undertaken by three or four doctors whuich included a full cervical smear. Ms mulla gave further detail, revealing that one woman who made a complaint to harrods was told b
Should thin and break with some sunshine developing, but then that threat of heavy showers and thunderstorms, hail could be mixed in and some torrential downpours through parts of the midlands, wales and the south west of england. Again, this area most prone, but there could be one or two elsewhere. Temperatures about 16 to 23 degrees again on saturday, so fine in between any of those showers and some sunshine again in the north, which is going to be the picture on sunday. Again for Northern Ireland and western scotland, sunny, warm conditions here, but cool and cloudy around the North East coast. Further south, though, those showers and thunderstorms by sunday are going to be heavier and more frequent as well. Could be some frequent hail and lightning. Into next week things turn cooler and more unsettled. A distinct autumnal and fairly windy spell of weather on the way. Bye for now. This is bbc news. The headlines lawyers representing some of the women who have accused the late Mohame
Sea. Switching on great british energy to crowd investment into clean power projects. Launching a rapid review of the environmental improvement plan for completion before the end of this year. So that we can clean our rivers, plus millions more trees, improve Air Quality and halt the decline in species. And with over 90 of the uks biodiversity within our overseas territories looking to expand, the Bluebell Programme to increase marine protection. This domestic programme is notjust essential to our economy but to restoring our international credibility. We are bringing an end to our Climate Diplomacy of being do as i say not as i do. But this domestic programme of this domestic programme of this domestic ambition on its own is not enough. That is why this issue has been on the agenda for nearly every meeting that ive had with another minister in my early weeks. From our closest friends in the g7 to the worlds biggest emitter by the worlds biggest emitter by the largest Renewables Produc