Honestly, walking through Harrods always felt like stepping into a different world. The gold leaf, the green bags, the operatic stairs—it was the ultimate symbol of British luxury. But for decades, behind the mahogany doors of the executive suites, a much darker reality was playing out. We now know that Mohamed Al Fayed, the billionaire who owned the store from 1985 to 2010, wasn't just a flamboyant businessman. He was, according to hundreds of women, a systematic predator.
The scale of it is staggering.
By early 2026, the number of women coming forward has surged past 400. We aren't just talking about "creepy" behavior or inappropriate jokes. We are talking about allegations of rape, trafficking, and a corporate structure that seemed designed to deliver young women directly into his path. The BBC’s 2024 documentary, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, blew the doors off a secret that many in London's high circles had whispered about for years but never dared to say out loud.
The System That Enabled the Predator at Harrods
It wasn't just one man. That’s the most chilling part of the Al Fayed story. To understand how he operated, you’ve got to look at the "machinery" of Harrods during his reign. It wasn't a glitch in the system; the system was the predator.
Think about it. You’re 19, you just landed a job at the world’s most prestigious department store. Suddenly, you’re being fast-tracked. You're told the Chairman has "spotted your potential." You’re summoned to his private offices or his apartment on Park Lane.
Multiple survivors have described a "fixer" culture. Names like Sasha Walker-Duncalf have surfaced in reports—allegations suggest a department called "store approvals" wasn't just vetting resumes; it was scouting for a specific "look." Blond, young, often vulnerable. If you were selected, you might be given an envelope full of cash or a designer dress. Then, the door would click shut.
The Role of Corporate Complicity
The survivors didn't just have to fight Al Fayed; they had to fight the entire Harrods infrastructure.
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- Medical Exams: Some women reported being sent for "STI checks" by company doctors before they were allowed to work closely with Al Fayed.
- Security: Former staff allege that security guards would stand outside rooms while assaults happened, ensuring no one interrupted.
- Legal NDAs: When women did try to speak up, they were often met with aggressive lawyers and non-disclosure agreements. One survivor even described a "shredding truck" coming to her lawyer’s office to destroy evidence—tapes, messages, everything—in exchange for a settlement.
Why the Truth Took Decades to Surface
People always ask: "Why now?" Well, the truth is that people did try to speak up. Vanity Fair tried to run an expose in the 90s. The police investigated him in 2008, 2013, and 2015. But Al Fayed was a billionaire with friends in very high places. He owned the Ritz in Paris. He owned Fulham FC. He was the father of Dodi Fayed, who died alongside Princess Diana. He had a layer of "untouchability" that shielded him until his death at age 94 in 2023.
Dead men can't sue for libel. That’s a cynical truth, but it’s a big reason why the floodgates opened after he passed away.
The Harrods Redress Scheme and the 2026 Deadline
If you or someone you know was affected by this, there is a clock ticking. The current owners of Harrods—the Qatar Investment Authority—have been trying to distance themselves from the Al Fayed era. They’ve launched what they call the "Harrods Redress Scheme."
This scheme is open for applications until March 31, 2026.
It’s a controversial move. On one hand, it offers a way for survivors to get compensation without a decade-long court battle. On the other, some lawyers and survivors call it a "PR tool." Why? Because if you accept the money, you usually have to waive your right to sue the company in the future. It’s a trade-off: quick closure versus a public day in court.
The Legal Reality in 2026
The Metropolitan Police are still knee-cold in investigations. As of late 2025, over 140 people had reported crimes. But there’s a massive frustration brewing. The Met hasn't yet classified these acts as "sex trafficking," despite evidence that women were moved between Paris and London specifically for Al Fayed’s "use."
Legal experts like Gloria Allred and firms like Leigh Day are pushing for a full statutory public inquiry. They argue that Harrods isn't just a store—it was a crime scene.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of the media coverage paints this as a "long time ago." It wasn't. Allegations stretch right up until his final years. This wasn't just 80s "lads culture." It was a sophisticated, multi-decade operation that used the prestige of a British institution as bait.
Also, it wasn't just Harrods. We are seeing similar stories emerge from the Ritz Paris and Fulham Football Club. It turns out, wherever Al Fayed went, the pattern followed.
Actionable Steps for Survivors and Advocates
If you are looking for more than just the news, here is what is actually happening on the ground right now:
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- Check the Deadline: If you are considering the Harrods Redress Scheme, remember the March 31, 2026 cutoff. You don't necessarily need a lawyer to apply, but most experts strongly recommend getting independent legal advice first to ensure you aren't signing away more than you realize.
- Contact the Met: The Complex Investigation Team still has a dedicated line for Fayed-related crimes. Reporting doesn't mean you have to go to trial, but it adds your voice to the official record of how many people were truly hurt.
- Support Groups: Organizations like the Independent Survivor Advocate, headed by Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, provide a bridge for those who don't want to talk directly to Harrods management but need support.
- Watch the Documentation: If you haven't seen the Channel 4 Dispatches "Delivered to a Predator," it provides the most up-to-date look at the "fixers" who allegedly made this all possible.
The glitz of Harrods hasn't faded for the tourists, but for the women who worked there, the gold has been stripped away. What’s left is a legacy of bravery from those who are finally, after thirty years, making sure the world knows the name Al Fayed for what it actually represents.
The most important thing to do right now is to stay informed about the ongoing police inquiry and the results of the civil claims. As of January 2026, the case is far from closed; it's just moving into the phase of accountability. If you or someone you know was an employee at Harrods, the Ritz Paris, or Fulham FC during those years, specialized legal firms are still offering free, confidential consultations to help navigate the Redress Scheme before it expires in a few months.