A woman said “to”BBC She was “disgustingly” sexually assaulted by Al-Fayed, after she was invited to his London apartment for a business meeting.
The woman, known as “Melanie”, said she believed police were going to arrest Al-Fayed over her allegations, just days before his death in August 2023.
On Thursday, a BBC investigation revealed that more than 20 women claimed the billionaire had sexually assaulted them. Five people said they were raped.
Melanie is one of the former employees at Harrods who revealed that she was attacked in the documentary and podcast “Al-Fayed: The Predator at Harrods revealed.”
The BBC’s investigation gathered evidence that Harrods not only did not intervene while Al-Fayed was in Harrods’ possession, but also helped to cover up the alleged assault.
Melanie’s testimony comes as details emerge of failed attempts by police and prosecutors to hold Fayed accountable during her lifetime. A legal team representing many of the women the BBC spoke to will decide their next steps on Friday.
“False…false”
At the age of 21, Melanie worked at Harrods for a few years, before 2010, and described her role there as her “dream job”.
She met Al-Fayed, who was in his late seventies, on two business trips, before being called to his flat, in Park Lane, London, in late 2007.
Melanie says she went to the evening meeting, even though the invitation “set off alarm bells. ” The lady of the house led her into the living room.
Melanie continued: “He sat next to me and spoke to me for a few minutes, which wasn’t long… and asked me to come back in two weeks to stay in the flat the night before the Harrods sale, and B’ I can accompany him to the Harrods sale, as well as the personal interview. ” The famous one that will be opened.
She said: “I wasn’t allowed to leave until I agreed to do so, so I agreed I could leave. I didn’t come back.”
Regarding the sexual assault she was subjected to, Melanie said: “As I was getting up to leave, he put his hands on my chest and said very disgusting things, so I turned and walked out.
Melanie told the BBC that she did not share the full details of this “disgraceful” experience with her loved ones, and for years felt “it was my fault” because she was “naive to enough to go. ” She described Fayed as “despicable” and “slimy”.
In January 2023, Melanie decided to go to the police. The BBC has seen emails, which show the case has been referred to the Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, which is investigating the serious allegations.
Melanie said she was later told the Metropolitan Police planned to arrest Fayed that year, and officers tried to arrest him twice, but he was not feeling well. and could not be questioned, and died at the age of 94 in August 2023. .
