Allegations against father throw ‘loving memory’ into question – Al Fayed’s son

Mohammed Al Fayed’s son has said allegations made against his late father have “thrown into question the loving memory I had of him”.

The former Harrods and Fulham FC owner, who died last year aged 94, is accused of multiple sexual assaults after a BBC investigation published last week.

The claims include five accusations of rape and multiple allegations of sexual abuse.

In a statement to Sky News, his son Omar Fayed said: “I am horrified and deeply concerned by the allegations recently brought to light against my late father.

“The extent and explicit nature of the allegations are shocking and has thrown into question the loving memory I had of him.

“How this matter could have been concealed for so long and in so many ways raises further disturbing questions.”

Mr Fayed, the founder of data visualisation and mapping company EarthX, said although he loved his father “very much” and he was a “wonderful dad, that aspect of our relationship … does not blind me from an objective assessment of circumstances”.

He said he stood “unequivocally in support of any legitimate investigation into these allegations”, adding: “The alleged victims and public deserve full transparency and accountability.

“I will continue to support the principles of truth, justice, accountability and fairness, regardless of where that journey may lead. No-one is above the law.”

Mr Al Fayed bought Fulham in 1997 and under his ownership they rose to the top half of the Premier League in the early 2000s, peaking at qualification for the Europa League.

He sold the club in 2013.

Barristers representing alleged victims of Mr Al Fayed said there are now “60 survivors” and that they have “credible evidence of abuse” at Fulham.

Extra precautions were put in place to protect Fulham’s women’s team from Mr Al Fayed, former manager Gaute Haugenes said.

Fulham FC said: “We remain in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected by the reports concerning Mr Al Fayed.”

The Football Association (FA) said it was “aware of the reports and will remain in contact with Fulham FC to monitor the matter”.

On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating a number of new allegations made against Mr Al Fayed, in addition to prior reports.

They said they will carry out “full reviews of all existing allegations” of incidents said to have taken place between 1979 and 2013 to ensure there are “no new lines of inquiry based on new information which has emerged”.

The current managing director of Harrods, Michael Ward, has said he was “not aware” of the “criminality and abuse”, and described it as a “shameful period in the business’s history”.

Mr Ward apologised and said the business “failed our colleagues”.

He said in a statement that it was clear Mr Al Fayed “presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct”.

Another alleged victim told the BBC she was summoned to the billionaire businessman’s apartment where “he became angry, the doors were locked and I couldn’t get out. He raped me”.

Five women claim they were raped by Mr Al Fayed and a number of others have alleged sexual misconduct.

The Met said they were contacting lawyers representing alleged victims to “ensure they have the opportunity to speak with us and report any offences”.

The Met said the initial complaints made by 19 women were reported to them between 2005 and 2023, including three allegations of rape, 15 sexual assaults and one related to trafficking.

Police approached the Crown Prosecution Service five times, including two occasions where a file of evidence was passed on in 2009 and 2015.

No further action was taken against Mr Al Fayed in respect of the original complaints.

Sources within Harrods have said the business has accepted vicarious liability for the conduct of Mr Al Fayed for the purpose of settling claims of alleged victims brought to its attention since 2023, reaching settlements with most.

Some women claimed they were subjected to “intrusive and wholly unnecessary” gynaecological tests to work for Mr Al Fayed, alleging the tests were for checking for sexually-transmitted infections.

Alleged victims are to lodge a complaint against Dr Ann Coxon, saying she has “questions to answer” about the examinations.

When Dr Coxon was asked by the BBC in London if she carried out the tests, she replied: “No.”

A General Medical Council spokeswoman said: “If we identify any potential fitness to practise concerns about individual doctors, we will thoroughly examine all relevant information and take action as appropriate.”

The barristers representing the survivors are Dean Armstrong KC, Bruce Drummond, Maria Mulla and Gloria Allred.