'PERSONAL HORROR' Harrods boss breaks silence in wake of Mohamed Al Fayed rape claims as he condemns ‘toxic culture of fear & secrecy’
THE MANAGER of Harrods has accused Mohamed Al Fayed of "presiding over a culture of fear and secrecy".
Michael Ward, who worked under Al Fayed from 2006 to 2010, has also said he is "deeply sorry for failing colleagues".
But he added he was "not aware of his criminality and abuse".
It comes as five women have come forward claiming they were raped by Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94.
Since the allegations first came to light last week, nearly 200 staff are understood to have also come forward accusing him of sexual misconduct.
In a written statement released today, Mr Ward said: “As managing director of Harrods, I wanted to convey my personal horror at the revelations that have emerged over the past week."
“As someone who has worked at Harrods since 2006, and therefore worked for Fayed until the change of ownership in 2010, I feel it is important to make it clear that I was not aware of his criminality and abuse.
"While it is true that rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public domain, no charges or allegations were ever put to me by the Police, the CPS, internal channels or others. Had they been, I would of course have acted immediately.
The statement continues: "Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985 – 2010, operated this business as his own personal fiefdom."It is now clear that he presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct. The picture that is now emerging suggests that he did this wherever he operated.
“This was a shameful period in the business’ history, however the Harrods of today is unrecognisable to Harrods under his ownership.
"As detailed new information has come to light over the past 18 months, the business has established a settlement process, designed in consultation with independent external experts in personal injury litigation.
"We encourage former colleagues to contact us using this process so that we can provide the support, and recourse, they need.
Mr Ward said he will “in no way influence” an independent review into the allegations.
He added: "Alongside this there is an independent review led by a non-executive committee of the Board to further consider the issues arising from the allegations.
"I am not part of the committee conducting this review and will in no way influence its operation or recommendations.
"However, I have provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues.
"I have also stepped back from my charity trustee positions while this review is taking place.”
Alleged victims include former Harrods secretary Lindsay, who told of how Al Fayed sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and groped female staff on a daily basis.We have all seen the survivors bravely speak about the terrible abuse they suffered at the hands of Harrods former owner Mohamed Fayed. As we have already stated, we failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry.
She said he drugged and attempted to rape her on a work trip to Paris.
Dean Armstrong KC, representing the alleged victims, has said he has so far heard from nearly 200 "survivors".
He said: "We have heard from scores and scores, probably up to 200 people coming to us to give us their accounts.
"This was a system in Harrods to facilitate the abuse Al Fayed engaged in."
Who was Mohamed Al Fayed?
MOHAMED AL FAYED was best known as the owner of luxury department store Harrods and father of Princess Diana's boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed.
The billionaire died in August 2023 at the age of 94, almost 26 years to the day after the passing of his son.
Heini Wathen married Mohamed Al-Fayed in 1985 and the couple went on to have four children together; Jasmine, Karim, Camilla and Omar.
Heini and Mohamed's romance began after they were introduced by Mohamed's son Dodi.
The couple are portrayed by Hanna Alström and Salim Daw in the sixth and final season of Netflix's The Crown.
Before marrying Heini, Mohamed had been wed once before.
In 1954 he tied the knot with Saudi Arabian author Samira Khashoggi.
The pair split after two years but welcomed son Dodi together in 1955.
Dodi is Samira and Mohamed's only child, but Mohamed went on to have four more kids with his second wife.
Prior to his death, Mohamed lived in a house near Oxted with his wife Heini.
The family estate in Surrey, named Barrow Green Court, is where both Mohamed and his son Dodi are buried.
His eldest son - Dodi - was killed alongside Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
He described Al Fayed as a "monster", before describing how the case "combines some of the most horrific elements of the cases involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein".
The barrister has also said he is probing "all entities that Al Fayed had involvement in".
That includes Fulham Football Club, which Al Fayed owned from 1997 until 2013.
In a statement last week, the club said: "We are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports following the documentary.
"We have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences.
"We are in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected."
Some women have claimed they were subjected to “intrusive and wholly unnecessary” gynaecological tests in order to work for Al Fayed.
They also allege the purpose of the tests was for checking for sexually transmitted infections.
Alleged victims are set to lodge a complaint against Dr Ann Coxon, claiming she has “questions to answer” over the examinations
Dr Coxon declined to comment on the matter.
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.”
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