PA MediaThe managing director of Harrods has stated the corporate “failed our colleagues and for that we’re deeply sorry” following allegations of sexual abuse towards former proprietor Mohamed Al Fayed.Michael Ward, who labored for Al Fayed from 2006 to 2010, stated he sought after to put across his “private horror on the revelations that experience emerged over the last week” and shed light on that he “was once no longer acutely aware of [Al Fayed’s] illegal activity and abuse”.He went on to mention that Al Fayed “presided over a poisonous tradition of secrecy, intimidation, worry of repercussion and sexual misconduct”. The BBC has heard testimony from greater than 20 former Harrods workers who say the billionaire sexually assaulted or raped them.Al Fayed, who died elderly 94 in 2023, took over the luxurious division retailer in 1985 and offered it in 2010.“Now we have all observed the survivors bravely talk concerning the horrible abuse they suffered by the hands of Harrods former proprietor Mohamed Fayed,” Mr Ward stated.“As now we have already said, we failed our colleagues and for that we’re deeply sorry.“Whilst it’s true that rumours of his behaviour circulated within the public area, no fees or allegations had been ever put to me via the Police, the [Crown Prosecution Service], interior channels or others. “Had they been, I’d in fact have acted right away.”He stated the “Harrods of lately is unrecognisable to Harrods underneath [Al Fayed’s] possession” and that the corporate had arrange a agreement procedure for the sufferers. On Thursday, Harrods stated that, following a evaluation over the past 12 months, it had presented 50 “sexual harassment officials”.It stated the officials obtain particular coaching to “supply secure, empathetic help and give a boost to to staff with proceedings of sexual harassment”.Final week, the BBC printed a documentary and podcast – Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods – outlining testimony from greater than 20 girls, together with 5 who say they had been raped via Al Fayed.Former body of workers stated Al Fayed would steadily excursion Harrods huge gross sales flooring and establish younger feminine assistants he discovered sexy, and that they’d then be promoted to paintings in his places of work upstairs.After the allegations had been printed, extra former Harrods workers contacted the BBC to mention Al Fayed had assaulted them.The investigation additionally exposed proof that, right through Fayed’s possession, Harrods didn’t intrude over abuse allegations.
