5 girls who labored as nannies or flight attendants for late Harrods proprietor Mohamed Al-Fayed had their lives “ruined” by years of abuse, throughout which they have been subjected to “intrusive” medical checks, their lawyer instructed AFP.
The 5, who weren’t employed by the long-lasting London division retailer, are combating for justice and claiming compensation from the property of the Egyptian billionaire, who died aged 94 in 2023.
Gynaecological examinations
Dozens of ladies have come ahead to say they have been sexually abused, harassed and raped by Al-Fayed, in addition to being subjected to gynaecological examinations and assessments for sexually transmitted infections, since a BBC investigation was aired in September.
Most of those alleged victims have been younger girls engaged on the store flooring or as assistants at Harrods, the famed luxurious retailer Al-Fayed owned from 1985 to 2010.
London regulation agency Leigh Day is representing 27 girls, most of whom have been Harrods staff.
Nevertheless, 5 of the ladies labored as nannies for the Al-Fayed household or as flight attendants for his personal airline, Fayair.
The 5 confronted “critical sexual abuse and harassment” between 1990 and 2010, the lawyer representing them, Richard Meeran, instructed AFP in an interview Monday.
He revealed all 5 girls allege they have been additionally made to endure “intrusive” and “inappropriate” gynaecological examinations and blood assessments – much like those beforehand reported by former Harrods staff.
These assessments “have been solely inappropriate for the roles that they have been doing,” stated Meeran.
Past Harrods
The impression of their remedy “has been devastating… all through their lives,” he added.
“Lots of their lives have been ruined. Their relationships have been ruined. For a lot of of them, it’s affected their employment as effectively.”
Final week, Harrods introduced a fund to offer compensation to alleged victims who had a “sufficiently shut connection” to the shop or to Al-Fayed’s function there.
In accordance with Meeran, “it’s vitally necessary that the property is held accountable” as effectively.
“For these girls who weren’t linked with Harrods, it’s necessary that they’ve a path to securing redress for his or her accidents,” stated Meeran.
If the property’s attorneys settle for legal responsibility for the actions allegedly perpetrated by Al-Fayed, negotiations may end in compensation for the 5 girls.
The regulation agency representing Al-Fayed’s property, Fladgate LLP, didn’t instantly reply to AFP’s request for remark.
Whereas compensation is an “necessary” a part of the authorized course of, “correct accountability and justice ought to transcend that”, stated Meeran.
Lots of his shoppers and different alleged victims are calling for a public inquiry into the scandal.
‘Cowl-up’
Among the many organisations being probed is London’s Metropolitan police, accused of failing to correctly examine abuses after they have been reported.
In accordance with Meeran, the police, in addition to docs who carried out the examinations, have been a part of a “cover-up”.
“He couldn’t have finished this for thus lengthy and to so many individuals with out the complicity of the organisation (Harrods),” stated Meeran.
“There was a complete system that enabled this to occur.”
In 2008, Al-Fayed was accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old lady and prosecutors reviewed proof in 2009. In 2015, he was investigated over claims of rape two years earlier.
In each situations, the Crown Prosecution Service didn’t deliver any costs.
Leigh Day can be representing not less than one sufferer who accused Al-Fayed’s brother Salah Fayed, who died in 2010, of sexual abuse.
“The dimensions of that is unprecedented, the dimensions and period of it,” stated Meeran.
Allegations towards Al-Fayed have been made by former staff at Harrods, Fulham Soccer Membership, and the Ritz lodge in Paris, which he additionally owned.
The ladies have been “handled as a part of his empire,” stated Meeran.
Have you ever ever shopped at Harrods?
Tell us by leaving a remark under, or ship a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African web site’s newsletters and comply with us on WhatsApp, Fb, X and Bluesky for the newest information.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
