Harrods managing director Michael Ward offers a personal apology for past abuses.
- Ward expresses deep regret over sexual abuse allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed.
- Harrods is resolving over 250 claims related to Al Fayed’s alleged misconduct.
- The store’s new owners are investigating the involvement of current staff.
- BBC inquiries prompted Ward’s public statement at Harrods headquarters.
Harrods’ managing director, Michael Ward, has publicly apologized for the first time concerning the sexual abuse allegations against the department store’s former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. “I am very dreadfully sorry for what has happened with Al Fayed,” Ward stated in a conversation with the BBC at Harrods headquarters.
Michael Ward, who closely worked with Mohamed Al Fayed until 2010, has maintained in the past that he was unaware of any abusive activities. Despite these statements, Harrods is actively engaging in resolving more than 250 compensation claims filed by women alleging sexual misconduct by Al Fayed.
Following the release of a BBC documentary in September, numerous women have come forward with accusations of serious sexual abuse, including rape and attempted rape, by the late Al Fayed, who managed Harrods from 1985 to 2010.
The new proprietors of Harrods expressed their shock at these allegations and acknowledged a failure in protecting their workforce. They have been investigating the potential involvement of current employees in these incidents since the previous year.
In response to the BBC’s investigation, Michael Ward declined an interview intended to explore the awareness of senior Harrods staff regarding the allegations at the time. Ward mentioned during a BBC outreach that Harrods had “nothing further to add.”
The ongoing investigations underscore Harrods’ commitment to addressing past wrongdoings and ensuring accountability.
