Potential legal claims investigated against Harrods following rape and sexual abuse allegations in BBC documentary

Leigh Day, working with Motley Rice, who both have decades of experience in these types of cases, represents an individual alleged to have been subjected to trafficking, rape and abuse. The woman and her legal team believe that there could be hundreds more survivors of similar abuse and exploitation perpetrated when they worked for Harrods between 1985 and 2010.

They are also investigating whether there are possible claims that could be made against the Metropolitan Police by survivors who reported their abuse, but insufficient action was taken. The need for a public inquiry is also being considered. In addition, they are investigating the role of medical professionals alleged to have conducted sexual health examinations upon recruitment, the results of which were provided to Harrods and Mohamed Al Fayed.  

A documentary is due to air on BBC Two tonight at 9pm entitled Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, which sets out the experiences of numerous women. 

The Al Fayed family owned and managed the store from 1985 to 2010, before it was sold to Qatar Holding. Mohamed Al Fayed is accused in the documentary of using department store employment as an avenue to access women for trafficking and abuse over decades when he controlled the company. 

Leigh Day, working with United States law firm Motley Rice LLC, represents an individual who claims she was recruited to join Harrods’ executive training programme. She alleges she did not receive training, but instead was raped and held against her will over a significant period of time – all while she was an employee of Harrods. Harrods allegedly organised and concealed her and other women’s trafficking, including requiring HIV tests and gynaecological exams, with the help of doctors, security personnel, and others who are alleged to have witnessed and facilitated the abuse but failed to intervene or report it. 

Chilling testimonies in the documentary from former security officers and senior managers confirmed a general awareness of the targeting of young female employees by Al Fayed.  

The woman, who wishes to remain completely anonymous, said: 
“The bravery of my fellow survivors who have spoken out about their suffering during their time employed by Harrods is utterly inspiring. I hope that other survivors are emboldened by the strength in numbers to shine more light on abuses that have life-long impacts. I believe this is necessary to help ensure young people today are better protected than I was.” 

Richard Meeran, partner and head of the international department at Leigh Day, said: 
“Following the information received from our client and the information brought to light in the BBC documentary, we are now looking at potential legal claims, including against Harrods, for negligence and assault resulting in rape, serious physical and long-term psychological injury. It seems from the information that has been broadcast, that for decades the most prestigious department store in the country effectively became a vehicle for human trafficking by Mohamed Al Fayed. Young women were recruited, supposedly to work in so-called ‘executive positions’ and were then transferred to various places and countries where they claim to have been subjected to depraved and prolonged sexual exploitation and abuse. It is utterly shocking that a British institution appears to have been operated in this way.”  
 
Emma Jones, partner at Leigh Day, added: 
“We are also considering whether there should be wider inquiries to ensure that any and all agencies, including the Metropolitan Police, that might have had contact with the survivors or knowledge of this horrendous abuse dealt with the allegations properly and thoroughly. It is of utmost importance to our client that those who had the opportunity to report or stop abuse be investigated. The extent of the alleged abuse uncovered by the BBC in this case is on a scale which we have not seen since the abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Savile was fully revealed after his death.” 

Human Rights barrister Phillippa Kaufmann KC of Matrix Chambers has been retained by the legal team.

Survivors in the UK and other countries who suffered abuse or believe they have information about the allegations in the BBC news coverage or this release, can confidentially contact Leigh Day. Survivors in the US are encouraged to confidentially contact American law firm Motley Rice. 

In the UK: email Richard Meeran at rmeeran@leighday.co.uk or call India Macleod on 020 7650 1369 or Georgia Rycroft on 020 7650 1153 
 
In the US: call 1-866-779-2607 or visit: www.motleyrice.com/human-rights/trafficking-litigation/harrods-contact 

Please send media enquiries to pressoffice@leighday.co.uk