Saturday, October 12, 2024

Ex-Harrods executive will not take Fenwick job amid Fayed sex abuse allegations

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Executives who were working at Harrods at the time have come under pressure to reveal what they knew about the alleged attacks.

Harrods’ current owners have said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations while its managing director Michael Ward, who has been in post since 2005, last month claimed he was not aware of the abuse. 

In a written statement, Mr Ward said it was now clear that his former boss had presided “over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct”. 

He said: “This was a shameful period in the business’s history, however, the Harrods of today is unrecognisable to Harrods under his ownership.”

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr Ward.

Harrods is currently in the middle of an independent review into issues arising from the allegations and has established a settlement process, which was designed in consultation with independent, external experts in personal injury litigation.

It has said that it would not seek to enforce any non-disclosure agreements related to alleged abuse by Mr Fayed. 

Mr Ward said he had “provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues”.

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