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World Of Secrets

Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods: 5. Silenced no more

World Of Secrets

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary

4.7765 Ratings

🗓️ 19 September 2024

⏱️ 26 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Mohamed Al Fayed sells Harrods and retreats into a world of luxury villas and yachts. But will the women continue to stay silent about their allegations?

Their stories weren’t all heard before his death but now they come together to speak out.

Would the past catch up with a man who had now been portrayed in The Crown, the drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II?

This season of World of Secrets is about sexual abuse, and includes descriptions which some listeners might find distressing.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Before this BBC podcast kicks off, I'd like to tell you about some others you might enjoy.

0:05.0

My name's Will Wilkin and I Commission Music Podcast for the BBC.

0:08.0

It's a really cool job, but every day we get to tell the incredible stories behind songs, moments and movements,

0:14.7

stories of struggle and success, rises and falls, the funny, the ridiculous.

0:19.1

And the BBC's position at the heart of British music means we can tell those stories like no one else.

0:24.6

We were, are and always will be right there at the center of the narrative.

0:28.6

So whether you want an insightful take on music right now or a nostalgic deep dive into some of the most famous

0:34.3

and infamous moments in music check out the music podcasts on BBC Sounds.

0:38.6

A warning before we get started. This series is about sexual abuse and includes descriptions which some

0:44.4

listeners might find distressing. It's early summer 2009. A large truck pulls up outside the London Law Office.

0:58.4

Look, we just need to do this quickly and quietly.

1:03.0

I didn't want a big fuss, I just wanted to get out.

1:07.0

Jemma, the 26-year-old, now former personal assistant to Muhammad al-Thaid.

1:12.0

She has quit after enduring months of abuse in the

1:15.5

office and on the road, including, she says, being raped in al-Thaid's Parisian mansion,

1:21.2

Villa Windsor.

1:22.2

While Jemma gave Herod's evidence of Al- Parisian mansion, Villa Windsor.

1:23.1

While Jemma gave Harrod's evidence of alfired sexual misconduct, at the time she didn't

1:28.2

feel able to disclose the more serious allegations.

1:32.2

There was never an investigation done, there was never any consequence for his actions.

1:37.0

Jemmas with her lawyer.

1:39.0

Outside, men are getting out of the truck.

...

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