Mohamed El Fayed

I went for an interview at Harrods in 1991. I was nearly 18 and already working in a cosmetics dept in another well known department store. The interview went well or so I thought.

I was told at the end of the interview that I wouldn’t get the job as I was wearing smart trousers and they insisted on heels, tights and skirts. That every female member of staff was expected to promote Harrods through her immaculate appearance. Wearing tailored trousers to the interview was an absolute no-no.

Even back then, I was gobsmacked. I had never been spoken to in such a way. The interviewer was female and behaved as if she was doing me a favour. I felt very relieved to get out of there. It felt like a horrible place to work.

I look back now and thank my lucky stars.

Trust your instincts when they tell you a man is a seedy creep, or far worse.

Horrible man who ran a horrible shop

I worked in Harrods as a teen in the late 80's. It was my Saturday job (cosmetics and perfumery). Al Fayed had what was described as a "harem" in that department. Women who were called to his offices frequently. An older woman I worked with said that I would be OK as I was too young. I used to dread him and his walkabouts. This was 30 odd years ago and I am truly surprised it's taken this long to come out. It was very much an open secret at the time. I am, however, not remotely surprised at the allegations.

Of course this is complete hearsay but when I was at Secondary school a friends older sister worked at Harrods. Apparently it wasn't unusual for a PA to go around the departments on a Friday morning and ask any of the young attractive females if they would like a free weekend away with "the boss" and his friends. She went on a few ski trips and a yacht once, she said that all sorts went on but if you kept your wits about you and paired up with another of the girls you could enjoy a nice luxury weekend safely.

This seems to need repeating far too often: it is possible to be angry about more than one thing at a time.

Do you know how many rape cases wait years before they come to trial? That’s where the annger annd attention should be not on some memory rape of 30 years ago.

Not surprised. A friend went for an interview years ago and was briefed before on how to look and what to wear, right down to his favourite colour on a woman. He came in half way through the interview and barked questions at her.

Has there been news about this before? I feel as though I already knew this, or maybe it's just because it's so depressingly familiar. I agree that NDA's should be banned.

Documentary on tonight, Bbc2 at 9pm.
One year he donated Harrod's hampers to at least one branch of a well known charity. They would have sent them right back if they had known of these behaviours.

Yes, of course there will be. I'm still glad this one is dead though.

It was always obvious what sort of man he was, no surprise from me!

Heard this on R4 this morning. Emma did a sensitive interview.
What an utter piece of entitled shit that man was.

The least surprising man to ever be accused of this type of behaviour imo. What a shame he's too dead to feel the shame of publicity. On the other hand, at least he's dead!