Mohamed al Fayed’s legacy will be “smashed”, an alleged victim of the former Harrods boss has said, as a lawyer tells Sky News the number of women coming forward has soared.
Five women have alleged they were raped by Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, with several others alleging sexual misconduct.
Harrods said last week it is “utterly appalled” by the allegations and said it is a “very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Fayed between 1985 and 2010”.
A lawyer for the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, Maria Mulla, said they were representing 37 women last Thursday – with 100 more enquiries over the weekend.
Cheska was 19 when she said Fayed grabbed her arms and kissed her as he claimed to be helping her acting career in his apartment, adding he could not help if she didn’t sleep with him.
She didn’t think she stood much of a chance against Fayed when she first went public in 2018, but she believes it is different now, even if it is a “shame” he isn’t here to face the allegations.
“I think it gives everyone a sense of closure, this smashes his legacy, which is the next best thing I think that we can get,” she told The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee.
“Because no one else seemed to be standing up publicly, I felt there was no way I was going to be able to stack against someone like him, so I didn’t proceed.
“It’s very different now. I hope that everybody does get some kind of peace from this, apart from anything else.”
Mohamed Al Fayed. Pic: Reuters
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) twice decided not to prosecute Fayed after reviewing files of evidence presented by the police on the former Harrods owner.
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”.
Cheska, who said she received a letter about the chance to work as Fayed’s assistant, did not return to Harrods after Fayed’s alleged actions and said nobody contacted her to check where she was.
She worked there for just one week.
“Amazingly, a lot of women have been extremely brave to tell their story, it’s just a shame that he is not here to face these allegations,” she added.
Harrods investigating current staff link
On Monday, Harrods said it is investigating if any current staff at the high-end department store are involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly.
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“The Harrods settlement process was designed in consultation with independent external counsel and experts in personal injury litigation,” the company said.
“All claims settled to date and moving forward will be based on the guidance of these external individuals to ensure swift and impartial outcomes for the victims.
“As part of our due diligence, there is an ongoing internal review (supported by external counsel) including looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly.
“In addition, the 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.”
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The department store has set up a page on its website inviting former employees to come forward if they have allegations.
Ms Mulla said anyone involved in the alleged incidents should be worried, claiming it was also “heavily entangled” in the business.
She criticised Harrods’ Monday statement, claiming they are “scant lines” when considering the “horror of the allegations”.