FIRST FAYED ABUSE CLAIM IS LAUNCHED

Hundreds more are now expected to follow Number of women accusers reaches 421

- JOSH PAYNE and ELLIE NG

THE first claim over Mohamed AI Fayed's alleged sex abuse has been launched, with 421 women now making accusations against him.

And lawyers warn that will spark a flood of further complaints over the late Harrods tycoon's behaviour.

Former staff claim they were sexually abused or raped by AI Fayed, who owned the store from 1985 to 2010.

Justice for Harrods Survivors said there were also allegations from Fulham FC and The Ritz in Paris, which he also controlled.

Three alleged victims, Gemma, Lindsay and Jen, were at a London press conference led by lawyer Dean Armstrong KC yesterday, who said the group had £1billion to fight cases.

He added: "The first letter of claim has been sent to Harrods. That is the beginning of the formal legal process.