Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of the famous British department store Harrods, has been compared to Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein in a new sexual abuse scandal.
On Friday, a press briefing was held after several women accused Al Fayed of sexual abuse and rape. Lawyers representing the women held the press conference ahead of an upcoming BBC documentary, titled, "Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods." Al Fayed has been accused of sexually abusing numerous women during his 25-year ownership of Harrods, the London-based department store.
"This case combines some of the most horrific elements of the cases involving Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein," Dean Armstrong, the lead lawyer for the women, said on Friday. "Savile because in this case, as in that, the institution, we say, knew about the behavior. Epstein because in that case, as in this, there was a procurement system in place to source the women and girls—as you know there are some very young victims. And Weinstein, because it was a person at the very top of the organization who was abusing his power."
One of Al Fayed's accusers, identified as Natacha, said during a press conference that the billionaire businessman was "highly manipulative" and "preyed on the most vulnerable—those of us struggling to pay rent and those without parents to protect them."
The current owners of Harrods, who bought out Al Fayed in 2010, said in a statement to the BBC documentary that they are "utterly appalled" by the allegations of sexual abuse.
"While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organization, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behavior can never be repeated in the future," the statement said.
Armstrong questioned Harrods' stance of ignorance, pointing out that sexual misconduct allegations against Al Fayed had been circulating for decades.
"We are here to say publicly and to the world, or to Harrods in front of the world, that it is time that they took responsibility, and it is time that they set matters right, and that is something they should do as soon as possible," Armstrong said.
U.S. attorney Gloria Allred, known for representing victims in high-profile sexual abuse cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, and Bill Cosby, also addressed the press conference.
"Harrods is often referred to as the most beautiful store in the world … many women dreamed of working there, to be associated with this prestigious corporation and to further their careers," Allred said. "However, underneath the Harrods glitz and glamour was a toxic, unsafe and abusive environment."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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