The managing director of Harrods has apologised and stated the enterprise “failed our colleagues” following sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to the division retailer’s former proprietor, Mohamed Al Fayed.
In a press release, Michael Ward stated it’s clear Fayed “presided over a poisonous tradition of secrecy, intimidation, worry of repercussion and sexual misconduct”.
Ward, who labored for Fayed for 4 years, stated he was “not conscious of his criminality and abuse” and described it as a “shameful interval within the enterprise’s historical past”.
His assertion comes as one other alleged sufferer instructed the BBC she was summoned to the billionaire businessman’s condominium the place “he grew to become indignant, the doorways had been locked and I couldn’t get out. He raped me.”
5 ladies declare they had been raped by Fayed, who died final yr on the age of 94, with quite a lot of others alleging sexual misconduct.
Ward stated an impartial assessment was below means into points arising from the allegations and that he had “offered all the data I’ve to make sure my very own conduct may be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues”.
Ward stated: “As now we have already said, we failed our colleagues and for that we’re deeply sorry. As somebody who has labored at Harrods since 2006, and subsequently labored for Fayed till the change of possession in 2010, I really feel you will need to make it clear that I used to be not conscious of his criminality and abuse.
“Whereas it’s true that rumours of his behaviour circulated within the public area, no fees or allegations had been ever put to me by the police, the CPS, inside channels or others. Had they been, I’d, after all, have acted instantly.”
Ward continued: “Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985 to 2010, operated this enterprise as his personal private fiefdom. It’s now clear that he presided over a poisonous tradition of secrecy, intimidation, worry of repercussion and sexual misconduct. The image that’s now rising means that he did this wherever he operated.
“This was a shameful interval within the enterprise’s historical past, nonetheless, the Harrods of at this time is unrecognisable to Harrods below his possession.
“As detailed new data has come to mild over the previous 18 months, the enterprise has established a settlement course of, designed in session with impartial, exterior consultants in private harm litigation.
“We encourage former colleagues to contact us utilizing this course of in order that we will present the help, and recourse, they want.”
Sources inside Harrods have stated the enterprise has accepted vicarious legal responsibility for the conduct of Fayed for the aim of settling the claims of alleged victims delivered to its consideration since 2023, reaching settlements with the overwhelming majority.
Ward stated he would “by no means affect” an impartial assessment into the allegations. “Alongside this there’s an impartial assessment led by a non-executive committee of the board to additional think about the problems arising from the allegations.
“I’m not a part of the committee conducting this assessment and can by no means affect its operation or suggestions. Nonetheless, I’ve offered all the data I’ve to make sure my very own conduct may be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues.
“I’ve additionally stepped again from my charity trustee positions whereas this assessment is happening.”
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