Harrods is investigating whether or not any of its present employees have been “immediately or not directly concerned” within the alleged sexual abuse of girls by its former proprietor Mohamed Al Fayed.
With greater than 100 girls having come ahead to allege being raped or assaulted by the Egyptian tycoon, the posh retailer stated it had launched a evaluation and was in direct contact with Scotland Yard.
Victims have known as for key employees and associates of Fayed, who died on the age of 94 final yr, to disclose what they knew of the alleged abuse, which is alleged to have stretched over plenty of many years.
Harrods stated in an announcement: “As a part of our due diligence there’s an ongoing inner evaluation (supported by exterior counsel) together with whether or not any present employees have been concerned in any of the allegations both immediately or not directly.
“As well as, the Harrods board has established a non-executive committee of the board to additional think about the problems arising from the allegations. Harrods can also be in direct communication with the Metropolitan police to make sure we’re providing our help with any of their related inquiries.”
The event got here as legal professionals representing girls who’ve accused of Fayed of crimes together with rape described a redress scheme arrange by Harrods as an tried “whitewash”.
The shop revealed an announcement final Friday by which it condemned “the actions of a person who was intent on abusing his energy” and inspired girls to return ahead to it in order that it may “settle claims within the quickest manner doable”.
Bruce Drummond, a barrister on the New Bailey chambers performing for the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, stated he had issues over the try to immediately liaise with victims, and identified that the shop’s present managing director, Michael Ward, was appointed by Fayed in 2005.
He stated: “Michael Ward needs to be clear on what he knew when and will don’t have anything to do with liaising with victims immediately.
“It’s a whole battle of curiosity for Harrods to say they’ve an inner course of in place to cope with this scandal. They’ve identified for years concerning the systematic abuse that happened and solely selected to half-heartedly act after they knew the accusations have been going to be made public.
“Harrods can’t be marking their very own homework. They’re attempting to whitewash this entire course of. If they’re critical about righting the wrongs of the previous they need to present the survivors with impartial counsel.”
Ward, 68, was appointed by Fayed in 2005 after earlier roles as managing director of Lloyds Chemists and as a associate on the personal fairness agency Apax.
He instructed an interviewer on 2020 that he had spent “many completely happy years with Mohamed”, including that he “noticed my capacity to create wealth for him”.
He continued in his position after Fayed bought the enterprise to the Qatar Funding Authority for £1.5bn in 2010. He’s believed to be probably the most extremely paid director at Harrods, receiving £2.1m final yr, down from £2.3m the earlier yr. In an interview in 2017, he described his best extravagances as “automobiles, boats and homes”.
It’s understood that Ward won’t play any position within the settlement scheme. There isn’t a suggestion he was concerned in any of the allegations made towards Fayed.
Harrods stated: “The Harrods settlement course of was designed in session with impartial exterior counsel and consultants in private damage litigation. All claims settled to this point and transferring forwards will likely be primarily based on the steerage of those exterior people to make sure swift and neutral outcomes for the victims.”
Barristers introduced their intention final Friday to deliver a civil case towards Harrods, the place they stated a system was put in place to guard Fayed throughout his many years of abuse.
Harrods stated in response that it was “completely appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed”, including that “throughout this time as a enterprise we failed our staff who have been his victims and for this we sincerely apologise”.
The shop went on to say that “the Harrods of immediately is a really completely different organisation to the one owned and managed by Fayed between 1985 and 2010; it’s one which seeks to place the welfare of our staff on the coronary heart of the whole lot we do.”
The corporate stated it had sought since final yr, when it claimed new proof had emerged, to “settle claims within the quickest manner doable, avoiding prolonged authorized proceedings for the ladies concerned”.
It’s understood that Harrods has settled plenty of instances within the final 18 months and that it has not sought non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Throughout Fayed’s time plenty of settlements have been made with NDAs, however the retailer will not be anticipated to implement the phrases of these agreements.
One alleged sufferer of Fayed’s, named solely as Joan, who’s being represented by Leigh Day, stated she believed there must also be a public inquiry into the failure to cease Fayed.
Joan stated: “I be aware the admission by Harrods that it failed its staff and is organising a scheme to compensate survivors. Though compensation is one vital component of accountability, for many years it was cash that enabled Al Fayed’s trafficking. Cash alone can’t repair it.
“The abuse suffered by those who labored at Harrods carried on for years and concerned others together with safety and human assets personnel, medical professionals, and others. Mohamed Al Fayed died with out being dropped at account, however there nonetheless should be accountability and justice to assist make sure that this can’t occur once more.”
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