Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, Harrods’ newly appointed survivors’ advocate, has warned that the sexual abuse allegations against the late billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed could rival the scale of crimes committed by Jimmy Savile, as reported by The BBC.
The remarks follow a surge of claims against Al Fayed, spurred by a September BBC documentary featuring testimonies from 20 women accusing him of sexual abuse, harassment, and rape.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One, Dame Jasvinder revealed she had been approached by a former pupil from a school for deaf children who alleged Al Fayed targeted vulnerable young women there.
Dame Jasvinder noted that Al Fayed used his power and influence to commit widespread abuse, potentially matching the scale of Savile, one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders who victimised hundreds.
Dame Jasvinder highlighted that approximately 290 women are currently engaged in Harrods’ compensation process for former employees alleging abuse. Separately, over 70 additional women have contacted the BBC since the documentary aired.
The alleged abuse is not limited to Harrods. Survivors have reported incidents at other businesses owned by Al Fayed, including the Ritz Paris hotel and Fulham FC.
Harrods’ current owners launched an internal review last year to identify any individuals still employed who may have been involved. However, the company has not disclosed any actions taken or a timeline for completing the review.
More than 400 women, many from countries including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, are pursuing legal claims related to Al Fayed’s businesses, with the majority linked to Harrods.
Justice for Harrods Survivors, an advocacy group representing many accusers, has reported contact from 421 alleged victims and witnesses, underscoring the global scope of the claims.
Dame Jasvinder, a prominent human rights advocate and founder of the charity Karma Nirvana, has written personal letters to survivors involved in the Harrods compensation process. She urged others who experienced abuse by Al Fayed to step forward, even if they were not Harrods employees.
Al Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985 to 2010, passed away in August 2023. His tenure at the iconic department store is now the subject of widespread scrutiny, with the BBC documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods accusing the store of enabling and covering up abuse during his ownership.
Harrods’ current owners have apologised, stating they are “utterly appalled” and acknowledging that victims were failed.
