The Dark Legacy of Harrods' Former Boss: A Story of Power and Abuse

Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, was a man of great power and influence. He was a billionaire with a reputation for being a shrewd businessman and a master of manipulation. But behind closed doors, he was a monster. According to 37 women who have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse, Al Fayed was a serial rapist who used his power and wealth to exploit and abuse his female employees. These women, many of whom were young and ambitious, were lured to Harrods with promises of a career in fashion. But instead of finding success, they found themselves trapped in a world of abuse and exploitation. Al Fayed would often tell his female staff to call him "Papa," and he would use his position of power to coerce them into performing sexual acts. One of the women who has come forward with allegations is Sophia Stone, who worked as Al Fayed's personal assistant from 1988 to 1991. Stone alleges that Al Fayed subjected her to unwanted physical contact and attempted to rape her on multiple occasions. She says that she was too scared to report the abuse to anyone at Harrods, because Al Fayed was the head of HR. Stone's allegations are just the tip of the iceberg. According to the BBC's investigation, Al Fayed would often give his female staff money to dress in a certain way, and he would prefer blondes. He was also known to be obsessed with British aristocracy and Princess Diana, whom he would often send gifts and notes. But despite his charming exterior, Al Fayed was a monster. He was a serial rapist who used his power and wealth to exploit and abuse his female employees. And it wasn't just the women who worked directly for him who were targeted. According to the allegations, Al Fayed would often demand that women who worked at Harrods undergo invasive medical exams to test them for sexually transmitted diseases. The results of these exams would only be sent to Al Fayed, not the employees themselves. The allegations against Al Fayed are staggering. There are claims of serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, and sexual abuse of minors. There are also allegations of cover-ups, threats, and a quarter-century of sexual abuse. And it's not just the women who were targeted. According to the allegations, Al Fayed would often demand that his male employees watch him as he performed sexual acts with his female employees. Al Fayed's legacy is one of abuse and exploitation. He was a man who used his power and wealth to get away with his crimes, and he left a trail of destruction in his wake. But thanks to the bravery of the women who have come forward with allegations, Al Fayed's legacy is finally being exposed for what it is.