Mohammed Al Fayed.

Wow, I really don't know what to say to that, Oreo. You do realise that many people who have been sexually harassed or abused simply freeze and can't react at all at the time? Believe me, I thought I'd be the first people to scream, shout or slap the person who assaulted me, but I completely froze, despite being surrounded by other people. I couldn't move, couldn't do a thing - and to this day, I feel ashamed and disappointed in myself for reacting that way, even though I now know it's a very common way for the body to react. You may think you know how you'd react in such a situation, but when it actually happens, it can be a very different story.

paddyann54

In the 1980,s not many girls would have yelled rape when a powerful man threatened them with the ruin of themselves and their families.Most of us knew guys who were a bit hands but we could deal with them Fayed was a whole different story

The 1980’s? Sure you don’t mean the 1890’s?
The ruin of themselves and their families? Ridiculous.

Nope, am not impressed by the impassioned yells of ‘victim shaming’. Unless you are dragged into a room and raped then yes it’s easy to say no! So what if you’re sacked? As to never getting a job again if you did, sorry but not buying it.He was obvs an odious man but we’re not in Victorian times and anyone who allows themselves to be used as the OP says for a bosses sexual gratification should have grabbed their bag and left before it came to that.
If you are a PA in a well paid job and allowed this guy sexual favours, what does that say?

Well he certainly wasn’t Mr.Selfridge was he? (Watching the series now, late to the party).
Of course Mr.Selfridge is idealised, but I bet he wasn’t like Al Fayed.

I think the late Queen had good instincts about people. She had met so many over the years.
It’s a pity Diana got involved with them.

Aveline

I don't know. If was forced to have an internal examination before a job I'd probably think, 'Now wait a minute!'. It's hard to imagine a threat that might be made that would stop me running for the hills. Obviously I'm not like these young women. He most likely picked those less likely to argue or make difficulties.

The internal examinations were part of a health check, one of the perks of the job. The doctor carrying out the examinations was female, and was fulsome in her praise of Al Fayed, telling the girls how fortunate they were to have a benevolent and humane employer, willing to provide healthcare for his staff.

And to be honest, when I started work for a bank at 16, 55 years ago, if they had told me at interview I had to undergo a medical, I would have just assumed that was part of the employment process, even if entailed an internal examination.

Naive maybe, but wouldn’t have questioned it, I don’t think.

Agree Merlotgran , often at the races, but still doubt it,
Raine Spencer was a friend of Fayeds

Anniebach

Why was the Queen warned ? was she given to shopping in
Harrods on her own

I would imagine alarm bells were ringing because MF was keen to seize any chance to be associated with the RF. He had money and influence and wanted to be seen at functions that would benefit his social standing.
They may not have known about his sexual behaviour of course.

In the 1980,s not many girls would have yelled rape when a powerful man threatened them with the ruin of themselves and their families.Most of us knew guys who were a bit hands but we could deal with them Fayed was a whole different story

Oh Oreo !

I don't know. If was forced to have an internal examination before a job I'd probably think, 'Now wait a minute!'. It's hard to imagine a threat that might be made that would stop me running for the hills. Obviously I'm not like these young women. He most likely picked those less likely to argue or make difficulties.

Grandmabatty

Victim blaming much Oreo?

Exactly. A man of considerable wealth and power, it's very easy for someone like that to manipulate and take advantage of younger, vulnerable members of staff. I'm sure many of us on here could recount incidents of sexual harassment, if not abuse, from their workplaces in the past. It was a different time then. Women were far more afraid to speak up for fear of losing their job. If you've never been in that kind of situation, it's very easy to say ' well, why didn't they speak up, or leave?'.

I watched some of the Lawyers statement on BBC this morning.The details are horrific ,young women forced to take internal examinations ,smear tests etc to ensure they were “pure” one young woman who bravely spoke to the camera was groped and touched in the office daily ,she was eventually escorted to his private rooms and the door locked behind her by security staff. She was raped and Fayed threatened all sorts of calamities if she ever told.Most 18 or19 year olds would have no hope of standing up to a man like that threatening her and her family.Money and power are a toxic mix in some men and it’s often young women who get the resulting horror inflicted on them One of the women lawyers was close to tears as she spoke of some of the young women ,one in particular who ended up in a mental institution after suicide attempts.Please find out facts before victim shaming

Why was the Queen warned ? was she given to shopping in
Harrods on her own

J52

He apparently threatened his victims and their families, as reported by one of his victims.
He was so disgusting, I only caught the end of the lunchtime news, but evidence against him was gathered as long ago as 1997!
How many more of these men are lurking in plain sight.

Lots I suspect.

J52 Too many 😡

He apparently threatened his victims and their families, as reported by one of his victims.
He was so disgusting, I only caught the end of the lunchtime news, but evidence against him was gathered as long ago as 1997!
How many more of these men are lurking in plain sight.

Oreo
Because his evil tentacles spread far and wide those girls probably wouldn’t have found another job.
Then there were his connections to the MET.

Oh Oreo for crying out loud how can you even think that, let alone say it, you ve obviously never been put in the situation of an older, powerful man taking advantage, you must have had such a good life that you don’t even allow your imagination to think what it could be like to be a young woman in the clutches of a very, very powerful man, and how very difficult it is to ever gather the courage to speak out , when you don’t know it’s happened to anyone else , when you know you will be disbelieved, lose your job, your reputation, and who knows what else I wouldn’t put anything past him.
A very nasty piece of work it doesn’t surprise me at all but does sadden very much for these poor ladies
I hope they get some relief and peace

Good article on it: we're talking going back to 1988:

www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/19/mohamed-al-fayed-accused-bbc-documentary-raping-five-women

The current attitude of Harrods leaves much to be desired

"“This is why, since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved. This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees."

I think the Queen was warned about him . If they could warn the Queen then why not the young innocent girls he preyed on ?

Victim blaming much Oreo?

I will watch it on iPlayer. What a repulsive creature he was.

I believe the late Queen was always keen to keep him at arm’s length but maybe for completely different reasons.

Didn’t see it, but why did the women allow it? Nobody has to put up with this type of sexual abuse after all.They didn’t complain about him or leave the job at the time? Why come out with it now he’s dead and can’t defend himself?