by mohamed al fayed for sexual abuse _ by mohamed al fayed for sexual abuse by— by mohamed al fayed tions also include the unauthorised disclosure to mohamed al fayed of the _ disclosure to mohamed al fayed of the examination results of employees he targeted for sexual— employees he targeted for sexual abuse. the allegations involve — sexual abuse. the allegations involve cover—ups, threats and a quarter— involve cover—ups, threats and a quarter century of sexual abuse _ a quarter century of sexual abuse by— a quarter century of sexual abuse by mohamed al fayed after he purchased harrods and became its chairman. harrods is often referred — its chairman. harrods is often referred to as the most beautiful store in the world. it beautiful store in the world. it has — beautiful store in the world. it has a _ beautiful store in the world. it has a glamorous history. many— it has a glamorous history. many women dreams of working there _ many women dreams of working there to— many women dreams of working there. to be associated with this— there. to be associated with this prestigious corpor

mohamed al fayed was clever and highly— mohamed al fayed was clever and highly manipulative. _ mohamedtive. he behaved. highly manipulative. he behaved like a _ highly manipulative. he behaved like a father— highly manipulative. he behaved like a father figure, _ highly manipulative. he behaved like a father figure, often - like a father figure, often saying. _ like a father figure, often saying. call— like a father figure, often saying, call me _ like a father figure, often saying, call me papa. - like a father figure, often . saying, call me papa. often talking _ saying, call me papa. often talking about _ saying, call me papa. often talking about his _ saying, call me papa. often talking about his family - saying, call me papa. often talking about his family and j talking about his family and children— talking about his family and children as _ talking about his family and children as if _ talking about his family and children as if to _ talking about his family and children as if to make - talking about his family and children as if to make me . talking about his family and . child

mohamed al fayed, the billionaire who was a powerful figure in mohamed al fayed, the billionaire who werfulfigure in british society. the former boss of harrods and one—time owner of fulham football club. he was also the father of dodi al—fayed who died in a car crash with princess diana. today at an extraordinary news conference, more shocking and disturbing details about fayed's behaviour towards female staff at harrods was revealed.— behaviour towards female staff at harrods was revealed. mohamed al fa ed, m harrods was revealed. mohamed al fayed. my boss. — harrods was revealed. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the _ harrods was revealed. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person - harrods was revealed. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i- harrods was revealed. mohamed al. fayed, my boss, the person i worked for pushed himself onto me. ifell to the floor with him still on top of me but i managed to kick free. he just laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word of this to anyone. i was subjected to an unnecessary and obt

take a listen to more of what he said describing mohamed al fayed. ladle describing mohamed al fayed.as a monster. he was a monster. but he was a monster enabled by a system, a system that pervaded harrods. those of you who have seen the magnificent documentary that we saw last night will know and may well remember very clearly the words of the manager who said the following. anyone who tells you they didn't know what was going on is lying. and going to stress that word of his, lying. now, we welcome, but we welcome as a first step, the admission at the end of the programme last night given by harrods, that they had, to quote them, failed these women. however, they also claim, or that piece claimed that they didn't know about mohamed al fayed behaviour until 2023. we will say it plainly. that is simply not true. the bbc documentary, as well as all the other material that you will be aware of, we certainly are aware of, we certainly are aware of, we certainly are aware of, makes that clear. this was systematic abuse well before that time, and within the knowledge, we say, of harrods we

mohamed al fa ed there. i think when mohamed al fayed died _ there. i think when mohamed al fayed died last _ there. d died last year _ there. i think when mohamed al fayed died last year it _ there. i think when mohamed al fayed died last year it brought l fayed died last year it brought back_ fayed died last year it brought back a — fayed died last year it brought back a lot of memories, a lot of bad — back a lot of memories, a lot of bad memories for these women _ of bad memories for these women. that has triggered them to speak— women. that has triggered them to speak out now. it has also taken — to speak out now. it has also taken away a lot of the fear that — taken away a lot of the fear that was_ taken away a lot of the fear that was there before. he has also _ that was there before. he has also been _ that was there before. he has also been portrayed in the crown_ also been portrayed in the crown the netflix series, and in that— crown the netflix series, and in that he _ crown the netflix series, and in that he has quite a positive, gregarious betrayal that isn't the same as these women's _ t

mohamed al fayed said to me i should — out. mohamed al fayed said to me i should look _ out. him - out. mohamed al fayed said to me i should look at him as i out. mohamed al fayed said to me i should look at him as a i me i should look at him as a father— me i should look at him as a father figure and he would protect— father figure and he would protect me, care for me, look after— protect me, care for me, look after me. _ protect me, care for me, look after me, hence the apartments i did _ after me, hence the apartments ldld hot— after me, hence the apartments i did not have to travel home late — i did not have to travel home late at— i did not have to travel home late at night and he asked me to call— late at night and he asked me to call him papa, and when the abuse — to call him papa, and when the abuse started, my response time after— abuse started, my response time after time — abuse started, my response time after time was you cannot do this, — after time was you cannot do this, i— after time was you cannot do this, i look at you as a father figure. — this, i look at y

we will see it plainly, mohamed al fayed was a monster. ster. he we will see it plainly, mohamed al fayed was a monster. he was a monster. al fayed was a monster. he was a monster-— a monster. but, as a monster aided by — a monster. but, as a monster aided by a — a monster. but, as a monster aided by a system, _ a monster. but, as a monster aided by a system, a - a monster. but, as a monster aided by a system, a system | aided by a system, a system that pervaded harrods. those who have seen the documentary last night will know and will remember very clearly the words of their manager, she said the following. anyone who tells you they didn�*t know what was going on is lying. and then stressed that word of his line. now, —— that word of his line. now, —— that word of his, lying. we welcome, very much as a first step, the admission at the end of the programme last night, given by harrods, that they had, "failed these women". however, they also claim, or that piece claimed, that they didn�*t know about al fayed�*s behaviour until 2023. we will

it's aware of various allegations of sexual offences made over a number of years in relation to mohamed al fayed allegation was investigated and, where appropriate, advice was sought from the crown prosecution service. but those investigations did not lead to any charges. al fayed owned harrods between 1985 and 2010. in 2008, he was questioned by police over allegations made by a girl whom he'd first met when she was 14. prosecutors decided not to take action. police received advice from the crown prosecution service again in 2018, 2021 and 2023. it's not clear how many women those cases related to. he was never taken to court. other women only felt they could come forward after his death. the current owners of harrods say they are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by mohamed al fayed, and that today it is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by him. they say the store has a process available to women who say they were attacked by al fayed, adding, "it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proce

gynaecological exams, as a condition of employment for some of the employees, who were targeted by mohamed al fayedde the unauthorised disclosure to mohamed al fayed all the examination results all of of employees he targeted for 0f employees he targeted for sexual— of employees he targeted for sexual abuse. the allegations include cover ups threats, and a quarter of a century of sexual abuse by mohamed al fayed, after he purchased harrods and became its chairman. natacha is a survivor she told the press conference that she joined harrods when she was 19 years old but that it�*s only now that she felt free to speak up. i believed i had been given the chance of a lifetime, . an exciting job in an _ incredibly dynamic environment with endless opportunities to look forward to. - i could not believe how lucky i was. l imagine the possibilities, this is my passport to a shining, l high—powered career. mohammed was clever. and highly manipulative, behaving like a fire figure, | often saying, call me papa. often talking about his family and children— often talking about his family and children as _ often

mohamed al fayedis other headlines... mohamed al fayed is described as a monster by lawyers representing women who have accused the former billionaire owner of the herds of sexual assault. the allegations _ of sexual assault. the allegations involve . of sexual assault. iie: allegations involve cover—ups, threats, and a quarter century of sexual abuse by mohamed al fayed after he purchased harrods and became its chairman. early voting for the 2024 election starts today in minnesota, virginia and south dakota. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. let's stay with that breaking news, developments in the middle east and lebanon. the israeli military says it's carried out a "targeted strike" on the lebanese capital beirut, after hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into israel. lebanon's health ministry says eight people have been killed these are the life pictures, they are coming into us all the time showing still the aftermath of the blast. you can still see areas of smoke in the southern suburbs, that is the area that has been targeted by the i

when mohamed al— fayed when mohamed al—fayed died last year it_ when mohamed al—fayed died last yearhese women. and it _ bad memories for these women. and it has — bad memories for these women. and it has taken away a lot of the feat _ and it has taken away a lot of the fear. he has been trained in the — the fear. he has been trained in the netflix series and in that— in the netflix series and in that he _ in the netflix series and in that he had a positive, gregarious portrayal that is not gregarious portrayal that is hot the _ gregarious portrayal that is not the same as the expenses of these _ not the same as the expenses of these women and they wanted to set the _ these women and they wanted to set the record straight. what have harrods said? the ownership today is different from back then when mohamed al—fayed was in charge, he sold the store in 2010. we have had a statement and they say they are utterly appalled by the allegations, the current owners, and his victims have been veiled for which the store sincerely apologises. so yes, quite a statement from them. there have been

mohamed al fayed should be on trial but— mohamed al fayed should be on trial but he — mohamed al fayedamed al fayed should be on trial but he is not. _ mohamed al fayed should be on trial but he is not. he _ mohamed al fayed should be on trial but he is not. he is- mohamed al fayed should be on trial but he is not. he is in- trial but he is not. he is in the — trial but he is not. he is in the crowri— trial but he is not. he is in the crown being - trial but he is not. he is in| the crown being eulogised trial but he is not. he is in. the crown being eulogised by the most _ the crown being eulogised by the most popular— the crown being eulogised by the most popular television . the most popular television programme _ the most popular television programme out _ the most popular television programme out there. - the most popular television programme out there. i- the most popular television programme out there. i knew and what i programme out there. i knew and what i think— programme out there. i knew and what i think if— programme out there. i knew and what | think if | _ programme out

yes, mohamed al fayed conducted business _ aspects? l fayed conducted business around - aspects? yes, mohamed al fayed conducted business around the i conducted business around the world. some of the allegations against him are said to have happened in paris, st tropez, abu dhabi and therefore lots of this also has to do with the fact that many of the women involved were personal assistants to mohamed al fayed so travelled with him around the world, and also stated some of his homes. this is notjust confined to london, this is a global story too. azadeh moshiri, thank you. 0utside harrods for us. we expect a press conference later, perhaps within the next hour or so and we will bring you that live when it happens. let's turn to the middle east now, where israel has launched fresh air strikes across southern lebanon in what security sources there say are some of the most intense bombings since the start of the gaza war in october. these are the latest pictures of israeli strikes on the southern lebanese border village of rihan. the israe

i think i mohamed al-fayed is a rapist, a mohamed al—fayed is a rapist, a serial— mohamed al—fayed isor i serial rapist. emma worked as his personal assistant for two | his personal assistant for two years. his personal assistant for two ears. ~ , , his personal assistant for two ears. y , , his personal assistant for two ears. g , , years. my first trip was actually _ years. my first trip was actually to i years. my first trip was actually to abu i years. my first trip was actually to abu dhabi. | years. my first trip was i actually to abu dhabi. he was trying — actually to abu dhabi. he was trying to— actually to abu dhabi. he was trying to get in my room in quite — trying to get in my room in quite an— trying to get in my room in quite an aggressive manner and it was— quite an aggressive manner and it was absolutely terrifying. i did not— it was absolutely terrifying. i did not know which way to turn so i bought a small dictaphone that i_ so i bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket and these — that i had in my pocket and these are _ that i had in my pocket and these are

mohamed al-fayed is dead. what more can the do? a, ., mohamed al-fayed is dead. mohamed al-fayed described as an _ can they do? mohamed al-fayed described as an apex _ can they do? mohamed al-fayed described as an apex predator, . can they do? mohamed al-fayed described as an apex predator, is dead, no chance of him going into the dock. there were opportunities in the metropolitan police got involved quite late in the day, 2008, 2009 to investigate the case of any is—year—old girl but the crown prosecution service decided there wasn't enough evidence to proceed with that case to trial. three more times in 2018, 2021, 2023, the metropolitan police also conducted investigations but by the time it got under way mohamed al—fayed was dying and then died. what is possible? in theory, it's possible to investigate people around mohamed al—fayed for conspiracy, if evidence emerges that they were involved somehow in assisting in a sexual assault or a rape. there is no sign that any such investigation exists. detectives are asking women to come forward so that they can get t

mohamed al fayed, the billionaire who was a powerful figure in british society. s of harrods and one—time owner of fulham football club, he was also the father of dodi al fayed, who died in a car crash with princess diana. today, at an extraordinary news conference, more shocking and disturbing details about al fayed's behaviour towards female staff at harrods were revealed. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i worked for, pushed himself onto me. ifell to the floor with him still on top of me but i managed to kick free. he just laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word of this to anyone. i was subjected to an unnecessary and intrusive medical examination. i was never given those results. i was subjected to aids and std testing without consent, and now believe in hindsight i was checked for my purity. lawyers representing al fayed's accusers said this was one of the worst cases of sexual exploitation they had ever seen. we will say it plainly — mohamed al fayed was a monster. 0uraim, and our s

we will set plainly i that mohamed al fayed was a monsten _ that mohamed al fayed was a monster. 0uraimsingle aim is_ monster. our aim and are single aim is to — monster. our aim and are single aim is to seekjustice for the survivors _ aim is to seek 'ustice for the survivors.— aim is to seek 'ustice for the survivors. ., , , survivors. lawyers compared the case to a combination _ survivors. lawyers compared the case to a combination of - case to a combination of horrific cases that involved high profile figures like harvey weinstein, jeffrey epstein and others. the leaning attorney in the us that�*s working with the lawyers in this case said the system enabled and allowed widespread sexual abuse.— sexual abuse. something was rotten at the _ sexual abuse. something was rotten at the core _ sexual abuse. something was rotten at the core of- sexual abuse. something was rotten at the core of harrods. j rotten at the core of harrods. the store was known for catering to every need of its customers. and it was presented as the epitome of beauty. the ugly truth, however, was that a number of f

this is dr ann coxon, who worked for the former harrods boss mohamed al fayed. le women have told the bbc that she carried out medical checks on them when he owned the store. i have no comment. do you regret working for mr al fayed? no. you don't? bbc news has been trying to contact dr coxon since the documentary was broadcast. today, we managed to track her down. did you carry out std testsi on harrods staff members? no. i did not. you're being accused of doing so, i do you have anything to say on that? no comment. dr coxon�*s denial about carrying out std test contradicts women the bbc has spoken to, including kate — not her real name — who was 16 when she says she was raped by al fayed. she also said she was sent for an intrusive medical examination with dr coxon. kate is portrayed by an actor. when i first started working for mohamed al fayed, he soon started asking me inappropriate questions, like, did i have a boyfriend? had i been sexually active? i was only 16 years old and i was a virgin, and he soon discovered that. so it was organised for me to see dr

it is important to say that mr ward worked for mohamed al fayed overfour worked for mohamed al fayedut he also says he had no knowledge of these allegations either then or now from the police, the cps or now from the police, the cps orany or now from the police, the cps or any internal procedures, but he does say there will be an investigation that will take place now to look into what was known in what could have been done about this. —— and what could have been done about this. ., ., ., well, that statement came after bbc heard harrowing testimony from a woman who says she was raped by the former harrods owner when she was 16. kate, which isn't her real name, is one of the five women who revealed to a bbc documentary team of the serious sexual attack. 0ur correspondent helena wilkinson has been working with the documentary team and here is her report. a warning that it contains details of a serious sexual nature. before being attacked, kate, like many women we've spoken to, was sent for intimate examinations. kate says hers was carried out by dr ann coxon. when i first started work

mohamed al fayed, the billionaire who was a powerful figure in british society. her of dodi al—fayed, who died in a car crash with princess diana. today, at an extraordinary news conference, more shocking and disturbing details about al fayed's behaviour towards female staff at harrods were revealed. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i worked for, pushed himself onto me. ifell to the floor with him still on top of me but i managed to kick free. he just laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word of this to anyone. i was subjected to an unnecessary and intrusive medical examination. i was never given those results. i was subjected to aids and std testing without consent, and now believe in hindsight i was checked for my purity. lawyers representing al fayed's accusers said this was one of the worst cases of sexual exploitation they had ever seen. we will say it plainly — mohamed al fayed was a monster. ouraim, and oursingle aim, is to seekjustice for the survivors. alongside, american lawyer gl

is aware of rious allegations of sexual offenses made over a number of years in relation to mohamed al fayedd each allegation was investigated and advice was sought from the crown prosecution services. those investigations did not lead to any charges. al fayed owned harrods between 1985 and 2010. in 2008, he was questioned by police over allegations made by a girl he first met when she was 14. prosecutors decided not to.take action police received advice from the crown prosecution service again in 2018, 20 21, and 2020 it is not clear how many women those cases related to. other women only felt they could come forward after his death. the current owners of harrods say they are utterly appalled, and today it is a very different organization to the one owned and controlled by him. they say the store has a process available to women who say they were attacked by al fayed, adding, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved. the legal team representing many of the women the bbc has spoken to will set out its ne

_ were also placed by mohamed al fayed in— were also placed by mohamed al fayed in a — were alsoed al fayed in a no—win_ were also placed by mohamed al fayed in a no—win situation. - fayed in a no—win situation. excuse _ fayed in a no—win situation. excuse me _ fayed in a no—win situation. excuse me. these - fayed in a no—win situation. excuse me. these were - fayed in a no—win situation. excuse me. these were not| fayed in a no—win situation. - excuse me. these were notjust strangers— dims in an employment situation _ dims in an employment situation. he _ dims in an employment situation. he had - dims in an employment situation. he had all. dims in an employment situation. he had all ofl dims in an employment. situation. he had all of the power~ _ situation. he had all of the power. they— situation. he had all of the power. they had _ situation. he had all of the power. they had none. - situation. he had all of the i power. they had none. they situation. he had all of the - power. they had none. they were in a “win — power. they had none. they were in a no—win situation, _ power

mohamed al—fayed was rich and powerful. im to carry out assault at scale over decades. i think mohamed al—fayed is a rapist. i think he's a serial rapist. gemma worked as al—fayed's personal assistant for two years. ijust didn't know which way to turn. so i'd bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket. and these are the transcripts from those recordings. one of them was in paris, in his residence there, villa windsor. i said, "i just want to go to sleep on my own. "mr fayed, i don't want to. mr fayed." and he kept saying, "relax. please, relax. " how can you relax when you're in that situation? he walked out and he was angry. not long after this incident, gemma says al—fayed raped her. the bbc has heard testimony from four other women who say he raped them at his properties. in 2009, gemma contacted a lawyer who told harrods she was leaving herjob on the grounds of sexual harassment. she didn't feel able to disclose the more serious allegations at the time. they agreed to pay a settlement if she signed a non—disclosur

mohamed al fayed, my boss, the conference. mohamed al fayed, my boss. the person — conference. ed, my boss, the person i— conference. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i worked _ conference. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i worked for, - boss, the person i worked for, pushed himself on to me. ifell to the floor with him still on top of me but managed to kick free. hejust laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word of this to anyone. we will say it plainly, mohamed al fayed — will say it plainly, mohamed al fayed was a monster. our aim and our single _ fayed was a monster. our aim and our single aim _ fayed was a monster. our aim and our single aim is— fayed was a monster. our aim and our single aim is to seekjustice for the survivors. single aim is to seek 'ustice for the survivorsh single aim is to seek 'ustice for the survivors. ., , , the survivors. lawyers compared the case to a combination _ the survivors. lawyers compared the case to a combination of _ the survivors. lawyers compared the case to

investigating people around mohamed al-fa ed? ., ~ al-fayed? daniel, thank you.nk you. daniel sandford, roger uk _ al-fayed? daniel, thank you. daniel sandford, roger uk affairs - sandford, roger uk affairs correspondent. and you can see the documentary, al—fayed: predator at harrods now on the iplayer. the chancellor, rachel reeves, says she has hard choices, but will make fair decisions, to improve the economy. she was speaking at the labour party conference in liverpool, peppering her address to delegates with several pledges, including a roll—out of free school breakfast clubs in england, from april. she also promised there wouldn't be a return to austerity, in next month's budget. chris mason has more from liverpool. the longest queue in liverpool today looked like this. at the front of it, a seat to watch the chancellor. at the back of it, well... it, a seat to watch the chancellor. at the back of it, well. . ._ at the back of it, well... all these eo - le at the back of it, well... all these peeple are _ at the back of it, well... all these people are queu

mohamed al fayed was best known for - egyptian businessman mohamed al fayed was best known for his -o the british royal - links to the british royal family _ links to the british royal family. his _ links to the british royal family. his son- links to the british royal family. his son dodi - links to the british royal family. his son dodi wasj links to the british royal - family. his son dodi was killed alongside _ family. his son dodi was killed alongside princes— family. his son dodi was killed alongside princes diana - family. his son dodi was killed alongside princes diana in - alongside princes diana in i997~ _ alongside princes diana in 1997. ., , , ., 1997. he was the self-made billionaire _ 1997. he was the self-made billionaire determined - 1997. he was the self-made billionaire determined to - 1997. he was the self-made| billionaire determined to get into british society and became no to a new generation through the most recent series over the —— of the crown. to the most recent series over the -- of the crown.— -- of the crown. to be honest, this may _ -- of the crown. to

mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person— mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i_ mohamed al fayed, myperson i worked for, pushed himself onto me. i fell to the floor— himself onto me. i fell to the floor with _ himself onto me. i fell to the floor with him still on top of me but_ floor with him still on top of me but i_ floor with him still on top of me but i managed to kick free. he just — me but i managed to kick free. he just laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no _ composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was — in no uncertain terms that i was never_ in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word obvious— was never to breathe a word obvious to anyone.— was never to breathe a word obvious to anyone. harrods said the department _ obvious to anyone. harrods said the department store _ obvious to anyone. harrods said the department store today - obvious to anyone. harrods said the department store today is l obvious to anyone. harrods said the department store today is a | the department store today is a very different organisation fr

i think mohamed al—fayed is a rapist. i think he's a serial rapist. tually to abu dhabi, and he was trying to get in my room in quite an aggressive manner. it was absolutely terrifying, just didn't know which way to turn. so i bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket. and, um, these are the transcripts from those recordings. one of them was in paris, in his residence there, villa windsor. i said, "i just want to go to sleep on my own. mr fayed, i don't want to, mr fayed." and he kept saying, "relax, please relax." how can you relax when you're in that situation? he walked out and he was angry. not long after this incident, gemma says al—fayed raped her. the bbc has heard testimony from four other women, who say he raped them at his properties. in 2009, gemma contacted a lawyer, who told harrods she was leaving herjob on the grounds of sexual harassment. she didn't feel able to disclose the more serious allegations at the time. they agreed to pay a settlement if she signed a non—disclosure agreement. there was also one other condition. the lawy

yes, sophie, lawyers - representing women who have accused mohamed al fayed of rape and sexual assault that they have received several inquiries relating to fulham football club during the 16 years when mohamed al fayed was the owner here. that was between 1997 and 2013. these individuals have come forward since last week's press conference. when the barristers representing the late billionaire's victims said he was a monster who threatened his sexual abuse victims to keep them silent. fulham responded today by saying that they remain in the process of trying to establish whether anyone was or has been affected at the club by the reports about al fayed. they previously encouraged anyone to come forward with information. a bit earlier, i heard from the club's manager, marco silva, who said he had been really sad to hear the testimony of the women and he had sincere empathy with them. also, we have had the first comment from the football association on this matter. tonight, they have said they are aware of the reports and that they would remain in contact with fulham football club to mon

current managing director of harrods has apologised over allegations against their former owner mohamed al fayedc has heard harrowing testimony for the first time from a woman who says she was raped by the former harrods owner mohamed al fayed when she was 16. he has said that it was... he goes on to say... the statement goes on... let's talk through their statement and its significance with our reporter. louise, this is a very strongly worded statement from the current boss of harrods. statement from the current boss of harrods-_ of harrods. absolutely, ben. this is the — of harrods. absolutely, ben. this is the current _ of harrods. absolutely, ben. this is the current boss - this is the current boss apparent distancing himself as the bus from the former boss mohamed al fayed and distancing his company, the business harrods from the former. there were strongly worded statements within this. toxic culture, he talks are, of secrecy, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct. he talks of his personal horror, a very strong word, of what happened in terms of these allegations and what i need to ma

mohamed al fayed, the billionaire who was a powerful figure in british society. al fayed, who died in a car crash with princess diana. today, at an extraordinary news conference, more shocking and disturbing details about al fayed's behaviour towards female staff at harrods were revealed. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i worked for, pushed himself onto me. ifell to the floor with him still on top of me but i managed to kick free. he just laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word of this to anyone. i was subjected to an unnecessary and intrusive medical examination. i was never given those results. i was subjected to aids and std testing without consent, and now believe in hindsight i was checked for my purity. lawyers representing al fayed's accusers said this was one of the worst cases of sexual exploitation they had ever seen. we will say it plainly — mohamed al fayed was a monster. ouraim, and our single aim, is to seekjustice for the survivors. alongside, american lawyer gloria allred

mohamed al fayed, the billionaire who was a powerful figure in british society. s also the father of dodi al—fayed who died in a car crash with princess diana. today at an extraordinary news conference, more shocking and disturbing details about fayed's behaviour towards female staff at harrods was revealed. mohamed al fayed, my boss, the person i worked for, pushed himself onto me. ifell to the floor with him still on top of me but i managed to kick free. he just laughed at me. he then composed himself and he told me in no uncertain terms that i was never to breathe a word of this to anyone. i was subjected to an unnecessary and intrusive medical examination. i was never given those results. i was subjected to aids and std testing without consent and now believe in hindsight i was checked for my purity. lawyers representing al fayed's accusers said this was one of the worst cases of sexual exploitation they had ever seen. we will say it plainly. mohamed al fayed was a monster. 0uraim and oursingle aim is to seekjustice for the survivors. alongside, american lawye

number of women who are now speaking out, how are they likely to speak justice, also because mohammed al fayedayed is no longer alive?— is no longer alive? i have spoken — is no longer alive? i have spoken to _ is no longer alive? i have spoken to a _ is no longer alive? i have spoken to a number - is no longer alive? i have spoken to a number who| is no longer alive? i have i spoken to a number who say is no longer alive? i have - spoken to a number who say this is about closure, talking about what has been happened and feeling like their voices have been heard. there are 37 women involved in the civil case. hundreds more, we have told, have come forward. some of those are victims but some have evidence of what happened, so it is for the lawton to sort through what may be added to the case. i think it is worth noting that this is, as the lawyers say, an international case now, and we are focusing on harrods and fulham football club. but the abuse has been detailed is happening in paris. there are also victims who have come forward from the us, from dubai, australia, romania. the list goes on.

she said that this be kept confidential, she was told yes, but she had a meeting with mohammed al fayeds askedif to know all about it. she was asked if she had dealt with the thing, if she had picked up a prescription. she went to the general medical council and said this had happened. the response she got from the gmc angular because in 2017 the council said it couldn't investigate because more than five years had passed. it would only be able to waive that if it was in the greater public interest and i felt this allegation was not serious enough to allow them to do that. they said they couldn't investigate mohammed al fayed anyway because he was not a doctor and they couldn't get to the bottom of why harrods was doing these tests. i have spoken at length to this woman and she said it isjust spoken at length to this woman and she said it is just another example of a missed opportunity to hold to account those who enabled mohammed al fayed. thank you for bringing us up to date on that latest developments around contacts at harrods. you can still watch the bbc documentary which details s

i think mohamed al fayed is a rapist. i think he's a serial rapist. ner. it was absolutely terrifying. i just didn't know which way to turn, so i bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket and these are the transcripts from those recordings. one of them was in paris, in his residence there, villa windsor. i said, "i just want to go to sleep on my own, mr fayed. i don't want to, mr fayed." and he kept saying, "relax, please, relax." how can you relax when you're in that situation? he walked out and he was angry. not long after this incident, gemma says al fayed raped her. the bbc has heard testimony from four other women who say he raped them at his properties. in 2009, gemma contacted a lawyer who told harrods she was leaving herjob on the grounds of sexual harassment. she didn't feel able to disclose the more serious allegations at the time. they agreed to pay a settlement if she signed a non—disclosure agreement. there was also one other condition. the lawyers organised for a shredding truck to come to my lawyer's office. it was shredded in fr

i never got my results| myself, they went directly to mohamed al fayed and i never got them _ mohamedy _ me. shocking. since the bbc documentary was _ me. shocking. since the bbc documentary was released, l me. shocking. since the bbc- documentary was released, lawyers for mohamed al fayed's accusers saved many women have come forward a story to call for justice saved many women have come forward a story to call forjustice that saved many women have come forward a story to call for justice that grows stronger. if you've been affected by the story on our website, we do have action line which will list some organisations where you can get some support. philip schofield has announced he will be returning to tv to feature in the channel 5 reality series �*cast away�*. it�*s after he stepped down from his role on itv�*s �*this morning�* in may 2023, following reports of a rift with his co—host holly willoughby. he also admitted an affair with a younger colleague, which he described at the time as "unwise but not illegal". 0ur entertainment correspondent colin patersonjoins me now. what do

how widespread was mohamed al—fayed's alleged offending? ome forward to say they were sexually assaulted by him when they worked at harrods. lawyers say they are also representing women employed by al—fayed at the ritz in paris. and now there are questions about the late billionaire�*s 16 years in charge of fulham football club. a former manager of fulham's women's team says extra precautions were put in place to protect female players from mohamed al—fayed. gaute haugenes, who managed the side between 2001 and 2003, said members of staff became aware that he liked young, blonde girls. as a result, players were not allowed to be left alone with him. the club said it was deeply troubled by the disturbing reports relating to harrods, adding: lawyers representing al—fayed's accusers told a news conference more and more alleged victims were coming forward. we don't at this stage represent any women who, for instance, sustained attacks at fulham football club, but our investigations are obviously ongoing. it is highly unlikely that there are not

mohamed al fayed still in place at _ from during mohamed al fayed still in place at harrods - from duringy criminal action— do you envisage any criminal action against _ do you envisage any criminal action against those - do you envisage any criminal action against those who - do you envisage any criminal. action against those who were involved — action against those who were involved in— action against those who were involved in covering _ action against those who were involved in covering up, - action against those who were involved in covering up, but. involved in covering up, but not — involved in covering up, but not any— involved in covering up, but not any actual— involved in covering up, but not any actual allegations. i involved in covering up, butj not any actual allegations. i will not any actual allegations. will ask maria to deal with that. with regards criminal activity, this is not for us to say, i'm afraid. we do not have that capacity to tell you, so therefore we won't. in that capacity to tell you, so therefore we won't. in terms of therefore we won't. in terms of the fi

mohamed al—fayed was a monster. ate sexual exploitation of young women the world has ever seen. mohamed al—fayed owned harrods between 1985 and 2010. in that time, multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault were made, and yet neither the police nor the crime prosecution service were able to bring a case against him. the boss of the cps during some of that time told breakfast he had nothing to do with it. no, it didn't cross my desk. senior prosecutors take decisions all the time in the crown prosecution service. hundreds of thousands of decisions are taken every year. so i don't know the details, but certainly i had nothing to do with it. since the documentary aired, dozens of people have contacted the bbc to share their experiences. among them jessica, not her real name, who told me a manager who still works for harrods failed to investigate when she complained about al—fayed's inappropriate behaviour. she claims another manager cherry picked young girls for him. i feel quite strongly that the people that facil

mohamed al—fayed was rich and powerful. amed al—fayed is a rapist. i think he's a serial rapist. gemma worked as al—fayed's personal assistant for two years. ijust didn't know which way to turn. so i'd bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket. and these are the transcripts from those recordings. one of them was in paris, in his residence there, villa windsor. i said, "i just want to go to sleep on my own. "mr fayed, i don't want to. mr fayed." and he kept saying, "relax. please, relax. " how can you relax when you're in that situation? he walked out and he was angry. not long after this incident, gemma says al—fayed raped her. the bbc has heard testimony from four other women who say he raped them at his properties. in 2009, gemma contacted a lawyer who told harrods she was leaving herjob on the grounds of sexual harassment. she didn't feel able to disclose the more serious allegations at the time. they agreed to pay a settlement if she signed a non—disclosure agreement. there was also one other condition. the lawye

20 women, have come forward with very allegations of sexual abuse and this cult when i said mohamed al fayedn terms of the law, in terms of his reputation, it means that his allegations can be talked about in more detail and they were to have been able to at this stage if he had been alive. there are still claims coming out today, we may well hear more from more women about more claims of what mr al—fayed was doing as the boss of harrods all those years ago. this boss of harrods all those years ao, �*,., boss of harrods all those years ago. as always, many thanks. thank you _ ago. as always, many thanks. thank you so _ ago. as always, many thanks. thank you so much _ ago. as always, many thanks. thank you so much was - ago. as always, many thanks. thank you so much was up - ago. as always, many thanks. thank you so much was up wej thank you so much was up we will have much more on this statement at the top of the hour. do stay with us and if you have been affected by any of this, any of these allegations, you can go to the bbc action line website which offers lots and lots of information abo

today has revealed new harrowing details from a woman who was 16 when she says she was raped by mohamed al fayedttacked, kate, like many women we've spoken to, was sent for intimate examinations. kate says hers was carried out by dr ann coxon. when i first started working for mohamed al fayed, he soon asked... ..started asking me inappropriate questions. like, did i have a boyfriend? had i been sexually active? i was only 16 years old and i was a virgin, and he soon discovered that. so, it was organised for me to see dr ann coxon of harley street for a medical examination. this was offered to me as a perk for working in the chairman's office. kate's new testimony adds to accounts already broadcast in the bbc documentary, which has started to uncover the role of other people around al fayed who helped facilitate his abuse. and ijust remember the doctor, you know, saying how wonderful he was, and didn't he look after his employees so well? i think the doctor who did my medical should be held accountable for providing information to mohamed, which he used to take advantage of us. two of the doctors

they went straight to mohamed al fayed. i never got them. they never even shared them with you? nce the bbc documentary was released last week, lawyers for al fayed's accusers say hundreds more women have come forward. and with every new story, the call forjustice grows stronger. ellie price, bbc news. delegates at the labour party conference in liverpool have this programme continues on bbc one.

of course, the egyptian billionaire mohammed al fayed owned harrods between 1985 and 2010.nablers. people who enabled the abuse to happen and there have been questions today about what their role was in all of that. i spoke to two women who described that they were pimped by senior members of harrods, of senior managers, who thought they were attractive, who thought that mohammed al fayed would find them attractive, and that they should be promoted intojobs. and they both allege that he later sexually assaulted them. another former worker said her line manager brushed it off when she voiced some of her concerns. we have been hearing more from the lawyers today, lawyers representing those victims who have described this as the worst case of corporate sexual exploitation of young women potentially that the world has ever seen. only now are we getting to understand publiclyjust how much — and i used the word monster yesterday and i stand by that — just how much of a monster he was. did the bastions of society, did those in power and influence protect him? i don't know the answ

of course, the egyptian billionaire mohammed al fayed owned harrods between 1985 and 2010.about today a network of some have described as enablers. people who enabled the abuse to happen and there have been questions today about what their role was in all of that. i spoke to two women who described that they were pimped by senior members of harrods, of senior managers, who thought they were attractive, who thought that mohammed al fayed would find them attractive, and that they should be promoted intojobs. and they both allege that he later sexually assaulted them. only now are we getting to understand publiclyjust how much — and i used the word monster yesterday and i stand by that — just how much of a monster he was. did the bastions of society, did those in power and influence protect him? i don't know the answer to that question. what i do know is he died without taking responsibility. given the number of women who are now speaking out, how are they likely to seek justice, also because mohammed al fayed is no longer alive? absolutely. i have spoken to a number today who

mohamed al—fayed was rich and powerful. at scale over decades. i think mohamed al—fayed is a rapist. i think he's a serial rapist. gemma worked as al—fayed's personal assistant for two years. ijust didn't know which way to turn. so i'd bought a small dictaphone that i had in my pocket. and these are the transcripts from those recordings. one of them was in paris, in his residence there, villa windsor. i said, "i just want to go to sleep on my own. "mr fayed, i don't want to. mr fayed." and he kept saying, "relax. please, relax." how can you relax when you're in that situation? he walked out and he was angry. not long after this incident, gemma says al—fayed raped her. the bbc has heard testimony from four other women who say he raped them at his properties. in 2009, gemma contacted a lawyer who told harrods she was leaving herjob on the grounds of sexual harassment. she didn't feel able to disclose the more serious allegations at the time. they agreed to pay a settlement if she signed a non—disclosure agreement. there was al