'Clear racism' | Harrods would 'hide' black staff during Al Fayed visits, HR worker says

Black staff at London’s iconic Harrods department store often left the shop floor ahead of Mohamed Al Fayed’s tours, former employees have said.

In a report by the BBC, an anonymous former security guard using the pseudonym “Henry” said staff were given warnings before the former owner of the department store visited. He described a “beeline of certain people, certain races” leaving the shop floor, adding that “the level of racism was very clear.”

The late Egyptian billionaire, who died in 2023 aged 94, stands accused of decades of sexual abuse and rape against female staff at the luxury London department store, in addition to threats of consequences if anyone reported his crimes, according to statements made by lawyers representing the alleged victims.

The national broadcaster also heard from “Lisa”, a former member of Harrods' HR team, who alleged Al Fayed would “pick on” certain individuals and that overweight staff would also be “hidden” during his visits.