Mohamed Al Fayed faced 19 sexual assault allegations before his death

In 1989, a high-ranking diplomat reported that his daughter was sexually assaulted by Mohamed Al-Fayed on his yacht in the south of France, where she was allegedly locked in a cabin for 36 hours following the incident. This assault, described as one of the worst he committed, significantly impacted Al-Fayed's attempts to gain British citizenship, especially after a Department of Trade and Industry inquiry labeled him as 'unreliable' and 'bogus.' Al-Fayed, who passed away in 2022, faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct from at least 19 women, with claims ranging from rape to trafficking, reported to Scotland Yard between 2005 and 2023. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, no charges were ever brought against him during his lifetime. The Metropolitan Police have since called for more victims to come forward, emphasizing the importance of giving a voice to those affected by such crimes. In light of these revelations, tourism officials have rescinded an honor previously awarded to Al-Fayed, distancing themselves from his legacy as more women have come forward with allegations of sexual and physical violence during his tenure as the owner of Harrods. The ongoing investigation aims to explore whether any other individuals could be held accountable for the alleged crimes committed under Al-Fayed's influence.