Police appeal for victims of Mohamed Al Fayed's alleged sexual abuse to come forward

The current boss of luxury store Harrods has told how billionaire businessman Mohamed Al Fayed “presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct”.

Michael Ward, the department store’s managing director who worked under the twisted tycoon for four years, insisted he was “not aware of his criminality and abuse” and described it as a “shameful period in the business' history”.

Mr Ward spoke out as police appealed for any "potential victim survivors" of alleged sexual abuse by Mohamed al Fayed to come forward so they can investigate.

The Met said in a statement that they “must ensure" every victim-survivor has the confidence to speak to the force about the former Harrods owner, even though criminal proceedings cannot be brought against someone who has died.”

The force said it must ensure it fully explores whether anyone else can be pursued for any related criminal offences after Fayed died aged 94 last year.

So far the Met has said it has 19 allegations of crimes involving Fayed that occurred between 1979 and 2013, relating to 19 women. Fifteen are of sexual assault and one is related to trafficking.

But it says it has now received new allegations from people who have not previously contacted it about Fayed although it is not confirming the number at present.

Commander Stephen Clayman said: “It is vital that any victims have a voice and are able to report any allegations if they have not done so before, and know that they will be taken seriously.

“We have specialist teams to ensure all those victims who make contact with us are supported in the best way possible.”

It is thought around 200 women who previously worked for Al Fayed have spoken to investigators with claims of rape and sexual assault following allegations being set out in a BBC TV documentary.

Mr Ward said an independent review was now underway at Harrods into issues arising from the allegations and that he had “provided all the information I have to ensure my own conduct can be reviewed alongside that of my colleagues”.

In his statement he said: “While it is true that rumours of his behaviour circulated in the public domain, no charges or allegations were ever put to me by the police, the CPS, internal channels or others.

“Had they been, I would, of course, have acted immediately.”

Mr Ward continued: “Fayed, who owned Harrods from 1985-2010, operated this business as his own personal fiefdom. It is now clear that he presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct.

“The picture that is now emerging suggests that he did this wherever he operated.

“As we have already stated, we failed our colleagues and for that we are deeply sorry.”

Yesterday one victim told how Al-Fayed ordered female staff to call him 'papa'. The woman, who went by the name of Natacha, described the billionaire as a “monster” who was “highly manipulative”.

She said: “Unbeknownst to me, I had walked into a lion's den, a layer of cover-ups, deceit, lies, manipulation, humiliation, and gross sexual misconduct.

“The chairman preyed on the most vulnerable, those of us who needed to pay the rent and some of us who didn't have parents to protect them.”

Five brave survivors previously told how they had to barricade doors with chairs to get away from the serial rapist.

Lawyers representing his victims have compared him to sexual predators Jimmy Savile and Jeffrey Epstein.