Harrods looking into if current staff were involved in Al Fayed allegations

Harrods is looking into whether current staff were involved in the allegations against its former owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

Five women alleged they were raped by Mr Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, with a number of others alleging sexual misconduct.

Harrods has said “there is an ongoing internal review” that includes “looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly.”

This came after a former employee told BBC News that a manager, who still works at the store, failed to investigate after she complained about Mr Al Fayed’s inappropriate behaviour.

Jessica, not her real name, said Mr Al Fayed pushed her against a wall and assaulted her in 2008 when she was 22 years old, the news outlet reported on Monday.

According to the BBC, Jessica claimed she went to HR to complain and hand her notice in after she was sexually assaulted.

She reportedly said she had no doubt the people in the meeting knew there was a sexual element to her complaint, but she had felt too intimidated by Mr Al Fayed to detail the sexual assault.

Jessica told the news outlet that she did complain about his inappropriate behaviour, including him giving her large sums of money.

She reportedly said she felt forced by people in the room to sign what she believes was a non-disclosure agreement.

Jessica has also claimed she was “pimped” by another, female, manager, who she said felt Mr Al Fayed would be attracted to her and organised for them to meet, according to the BBC.

Harrods said that its internal review into possible staff involvement is supported by external counsel.

It added: “Harrods Board has established a non-executive committee of the Board to further consider the issues arising from the allegations.

“Harrods is also in direct communication with the Metropolitan Police to ensure we are offering our assistance with any of their relevant inquiries.”

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 the vast majority.

Harrods added on Monday that its “settlement process was designed in consultation with independent external counsel and experts in personal injury litigation.

“All claims settled to date and moving forwards will be based on the guidance of these external individuals to ensure swift and impartial outcomes for the victims.”

The Crown Prosecution Service twice decided not to prosecute Mr Al Fayed after reviewing files of evidence presented by the police.

Evidence was shown to the CPS in 2009 and 2015, but it decided not to go ahead with the prosecution because there was not “a realistic prospect of conviction”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was head of the CPS as director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, but a Downing Street spokesperson said he did not handle Mr Al Fayed’s case, adding it “did not cross his desk”.

Sir Max Hill KC, director of public prosecutions from 2018 to 2023, said there was not “sufficient evidence” to prosecute Mr Al Fayed in 2009 and 2015, adding the case did not come to his attention during his time as head of the CPS.

A CPS spokesperson said: “We reviewed files of evidence presented by the police in 2009 and 2015.

“To bring a prosecution the CPS must be confident there is a realistic prospect of conviction, in each instance our prosecutors looked carefully at the evidence and concluded this wasn’t the case.”

In 2018, 2021 and 2023, the CPS provided early investigative advice to the Metropolitan Police following allegations made against Mr Al Fayed.

However, a full file of evidence was never received by the CPS in each of these instances and they were given no further action by police.

A file of evidence must be presented to the CPS by an investigating police force for it to have formal involvement in a case.