UK Daily Trending stories
Media Coverage
The story is popular on the front pages – though not always the lead. Online the story dominates the websites, and with more information emerging it’s likely to continue to dominate.
Trending – Former Harrods boss accused of sexual abuse
Mohamed Al-Fayed has been accused of sexual assault and rape.
A BBC investigation heard testimony from more than 20 women who said they were sexually assaulted by the billionaire. Five said they were raped.
The investigation gathered evidence that during Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene but helped cover up abuse allegations.
Fayed was a prominent businessman who owned luxury store Harrods between 1985 and 2010. He also owned Fulham football club. He is the father of Dodi Al Fayed – who died alongside Princess Diana in a 1997 car crash in Paris. vs Switzerland match – the winner will play Spain in the final.
Basic facts
- The BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say the billionaire, who died last year aged 94, sexually assaulted or raped them
- The documentary and podcast – Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods – gathered evidence that, during Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene but helped cover up abuse allegations
- Harrods’ current owners said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that his victims had been failed – for which the store sincerely apologised
- Fayed faced sexual assault claims while he was alive, but these allegations are of unprecedented scale and seriousness
- The BBC believes many more women may have been assaulted
The reaction
The story features on a handful of newspaper front pages and is a popular story across social media and online news sites. The media expresses the ‘horror’ at the allegations and looks ahead at what may come next – including more women coming forward.
Some of the papers ask why he was not charged when the prime minister was the director of public prosecutions. But Downing Street said the PM had no involvement in the decision not to bring charges against Fayad who was questioned by police in 2008.
Other publications lead on Fayed’s role within the establishment, especially due to his close proximity to the royal family. Fayed’s son dated Princess Diana – and died alongside her – in 1997.
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Trending on social media
Online the reaction is mixed. Some users are reacting with horror at the news of the accusations and linking it to other wealthy and powerful men who had also been accused or found guilty of similar crimes including the recently arrested P Diddy.
On the other hand, other users are linking the allegations to the prime minister, who was the director of public prosecutions, at the time when the first allegations were made.
Some users are disregarding the allegations due to Fayed being dead.
The Fayed story comes as no surprise 😔… I had the misfortune of doing several interviews w him & a couple of celebs from his top floor Harrods office as a young journalist at OK! He was a menace & perv – v entitled. Applaud BBC for investigating this finally -…
— Collette Walsh (@ColletteWalsh) September 19, 2024
A few predictable comments (from men) saying these poor women are doing this now for the money!! Fuck right off!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬#alfayed
— 🌸 💙🅱️3️⃣♈️ 💚🌺 (@BevFlannery) September 20, 2024
Watching McMafia on BBC IPlayer and this bit stood out #AlFayed #PrincessDiana @TheCrownNetflix pic.twitter.com/Zsfqg1rkLi
— Joanna Brittan (@jebrittan2) November 24, 2023
