Mohammed Al Fayed Spied on Women at Harrods for Decades, Book Claims

A new book titled "Monster of Harrods" alleges that Mohamed Al Fayed, the late former owner of Harrods, secretly installed extensive surveillance systems throughout the Knightsbridge store, including in women's changing rooms, toilets, and staff areas, to spy on female customers and staff for decades. The book's claims are supported by testimony from Al Fayed’s former bodyguard, known as Biggie, and other insiders, who describe a pervasive network of about 40 monitors transmitting live footage 24/7 and phone bugging orchestrated by ex-detective John Macnamara, Harrods’ head of security at the time. According to the allegations, Al Fayed and his security team watched women undressing and used the surveillance to identify potential victims for sexual assault, with over 500 women reportedly coming forward with accusations since his death in 2023. The current Harrods owners deny any records of cameras in areas that would compromise privacy and condemned Al Fayed's alleged actions as abuses of power. Author Alison Kervin, who interviewed more than 60 witnesses and survivors, likened working at Harrods during Al Fayed’s ownership to ‘‘living in the Truman Show’’ due to the constant secret monitoring. The revelations have sparked renewed outrage and highlight a disturbing legacy of abuse tied to Al Fayed’s reign over the luxury department store.