Claims Mohamed Al Fayed carried out sex attack on Highland estate investigated by police

37 women have now come forward with allegations against Mr Al Fayed

Mohamed Al Fayed
Author: Liam RossPublished 20th Sep 2024
Last updated 20th Sep 2024

Allegations an Egyptian billionaire carried out a sex attack at Balnagown Estate were investigated by police.

The former owner of Harrods, Mohammed Al Fayed, has been described as a "monster" who systemically abused and sexually assaulted women who worked for him.

37 women have now come forward with allegations against Mr Al Fayed, who previously owned the Highland estate near Invergordon for more than 50 years.

Police Scotland have confirmed enquiries into a report of a sexual assault are now complete.

A spokesperson said: "Following an investigation into a report of a non-recent sexual assault that took place in Scotland, enquiries are now complete.

"However, should new information be obtained or reported to police, then further enquiries will be carried out.”

Mr Fayed died last year, aged 94.

One of the women who has alleged she was raped by her former employer Mr Al Fayed, has called for changes to be made within HR departments to ensure a safe environment at work.

Gemma, who was one of Mr Al Fayed's personal assistants between 2007 and 2009 and worked for the office of his charitable foundation, alleged Mr Al Fayed raped her during a trip to Paris.

Female former employees have spoken to the BBC as part of an investigation, coming forward with allegations of assault and physical violence at properties in London and Paris.

Five women alleged they had been raped by Mr Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, the broadcaster reported.

Gemma is one of 37 women represented by a legal team which held a press conference on Friday - and more than 100 other women have come forward since the BBC aired a documentary on Thursday evening, barrister Bruce Drummond said.

Asked what she would like to achieve through the process, Gemma said: "I think certainly that HR laws and the protection around HR is re-evaluated, because I think for me, one of the biggest downfalls of all of this was the HR department.

"They never investigated him, they never checked in on my welfare, and I think that's really important.

"You know, if a company's got a safe environment to work, then nothing should go wrong. And that's not what was provided at Harrods."

Harrods previously said it was "utterly appalled" by the allegations of abuse and said it had set up a page on its website inviting former employees to come forward if they have allegations