The managing director of Harrods has accused his former boss Mohamed al Fayed of presiding over “a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct”.
Five women who used to work at the luxury department store have alleged they were raped by Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, with several other former employees alleging sexual misconduct.
In a written statement, Michael Ward, who worked for the Egyptian billionaire at Harrods for four years, has denied having been previously aware of the businessman’s “criminality and abuse”.
He said Fayed’s ownership between 1985 and 2010 represents a “shameful period in the business’s history”.
Mr Ward apologised and said Harrods had “failed our colleagues”.
It said: “As managing director of Harrods, I wanted to convey my personal horror at the revelations that have emerged over the past week.
“We have all seen the survivors bravely speak about the terrible abuse they suffered at the hands of Harrods former owner Mohamed Fayed.
“As we have already stated, we failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry.
“As someone who has worked at Harrods since 2006, and therefore worked for Fayed until the change of ownership in 2010, I feel it is important to make it clear that I was not aware of his criminality and abuse.
“While it is true that rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public domain, no charges or allegations were ever put to me by the Police, the CPS, internal channels or others. Had they been, I would of course have acted immediately.”
Read more:
Timeline of sex abuse claims against Mohamed al Fayed
Mr Ward also said an independent review was under way into issues arising from the allegations and that he had “provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues”.
He added that Fayed had ran his business as his “own personal fiefdom”.
Mr Ward continued: “It is now clear that he presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct.
“The picture that is now emerging suggests that he did this wherever he operated.”
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He insisted that “the Harrods of today is unrecognisable to Harrods under his ownership”, adding: “As detailed new information has come to light over the past 18 months, the business has established a settlement process, designed in consultation with independent, external experts in personal injury litigation.
“We encourage former colleagues to contact us using this process so that we can provide the support, and recourse, they need.”
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