Current:Home > InvestMohamed Al-Fayed, Late Father of Princess Diana's Former Boyfriend Dodi Fayed, Accused of Rape -GrowthProspect
Mohamed Al-Fayed, Late Father of Princess Diana's Former Boyfriend Dodi Fayed, Accused of Rape
View
Date:2025-04-12 18:24:44
Content warning: This story discusses rape and sexual assault.
Five women have come forward and accused Mohamed Al-Fayed of rape.
The late ex-Harrods owner, whose son Emad El-Din Mohamed Abdel Mena'em “Dodi” Fayed is the former boyfriend of the late Princess Diana and also died in her infamous 1997 car crash, has been accused of sexual assault by more than 20 female ex-employees, five of whom who describe their experiences as rape, according to over 20 accounts from anonymous women who spoke to the BBC.
“Mohamed Al-Fayed was a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever,” said an anonymous woman, who told the BBC she was a teenager when Fayed raped her, noting that female employees at Harrods were considered his, “playthings.”
She added, “We were all so scared. He actively cultivated fear. If he said ‘jump’ employees would ask ‘how high.’”
Upon being informed of the allegations against Fayed—who died in 2023 at the age of 94—the current owners of the upscale department store apologized, telling the BBC they were “utterly appalled” by the accusations.
Women who provided statements to the BBC claimed that the assaults occurred in Harrods’ offices, in Fayed’s London apartment, in his Villa Windsor property, or during foreign trips, often in the Ritz hotel in Paris, which he owned.
Former employees—both male and female—told the BBC that it was “very clear” what was happening as the former Harrods owner would identify “young female assistants” and promote them to work in his offices.
One former male employee, Tony Leeming, who was a department manager from 1994 to 2004, emphasized, “I think if I knew, everybody knew. Anyone who says they didn't are lying, I'm sorry.”
Meanwhile, another employee given the pseudonym of Alice detailed the frightening day-to-day.
“We all watched each other walk through that door thinking, ‘you poor girl, it's you today,’” she described. “And feeling utterly powerless to stop it.”
Women who were interviewed noted that Fayed’s assaults were even more aggressive while on company trips—with one woman providing a description of waking up “startled” to find Fayed standing over her in nothing but a silk dressing gown.
She went on to describe him raping her, after which she cried and he told her to “aggressively” wash herself with the antiseptic disinfectant Dettol.
BBC reports that "many" women who were promoted to work more closely to Fayed alleged they were given “invasive” sexual health tests. And while the tests were described as a perk, many were not given their results—which were, however, sent to Fayed.
“There is no benefit to anybody knowing what my sexual health is, unless you're planning to sleep with somebody,” a woman identified as Katherine, who was an executive assistant in 2005, told the outlet. “Which I find very chilling now.”
In a statement to the BBC, Harrods condemned Fayed’s alleged actions, noting they had been taken by an individual “intent on abusing his power.”
“The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010,” the statement read. “It is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.”
For free, confidential help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit rainn.org.veryGood! (1)
Related
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Bookstore lover inspires readers across America | The Excerpt
- Gold medalist Noah Lyles beats popular streamer IShowSpeed in 50m race
- Money in NCAA sports has changed life for a few. For many athletes, college degree remains the prize
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Man ordered to jail pending trial in the fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer
- Ex-aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams in plea discussions with federal prosecutors
- Man who smashed door moments before officer killed Capitol rioter gets 8 years in prison
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Federal judge hears arguments in Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case
Ranking
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Target's 'early' Black Friday sale is underway: Here's what to know
- Does Florida keeping Billy Napier signal how college football will handle coaching changes?
- Taylor Swift could win her fifth album of the year Grammy: All her 2025 nominations
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- These Chunky Chic Jewelry Styles From Frank Darling Are Fall’s Must-Have Fashion Staple to Wear on Repeat
- Brother of Buffalo’s acting mayor dies in fall from tree stand while hunting
- Southern California wildfire rages as it engulfs homes, forces mass evacuations
Recommendation
The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
Election overload? Here are some tips to quiet the noise on your social feeds
Kyle Hamilton injury updates: Ravens star DB has sprained ankle
Target's 'early' Black Friday sale is underway: Here's what to know
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Martha Stewart’s Ex-Husband Andy Stewart Calls Out Her Claims in Sensationalized Documentary
US to tighten restrictions on energy development to protect struggling sage grouse
Ranked voting will determine the winner of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District