Mohamed Al-Fayed: the monster of Harrods

Mohamed Al-Fayed: the monster of Harrods

Author: The Times June 12, 2025 Duration: 37:39

For years, the Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed used his power to abuse and rape women who worked for him. He was never prosecuted. In her new book The Monster of Harrods: Al-Fayed and the secret, shameful history of a British institution, Alison Kervin reveals the staggering scale of his abuse and the huge number of people who enabled it.


This episode contains details of rape and sexual abuse. If you need support, go to www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk or call 0808 500 2222.


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guest: Alison Kervin, Author of The Monster of Harrod's: Al-Fayed and the secret, shameful history of a British Institution.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: The monster of Harrods: ‘Mohamed Al Fayed raped me’

Clips: BBC News, Sky News, 7News Australia. 

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
President Trump and the virus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:39
It looks like the US will be badly hit by coronavirus. Could President Trump's approach be his downfall? Guests: Henry Zeffman, the Washington Correspondent for The Times. Host: David Aaronovitch.This podcast was brought…
Voices from New York [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:08
The United States is now at the centre of the global coronavirus crisis and New York is the worst hit city in the country. What’s it like for regular New Yorkers at the centre of the pandemic? Guests:‏Laura Pullman, The…
Brazil: a country divided [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
As Brazilian politicians argue over how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, we speak to three residents about their experience of the crisis. Guests: Lucinda Elliott‏, news contributor at The Times. Giuseppe Bossetti…
Keir Starmer: the man, the party, the crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:45
On Saturday Labour party members selected a new leader. Is this the end of Corbynism? And what is the role of the opposition in the time of crisis? Guest: Rachel Sylvester, political columnist for The Times.This podcast…