'We knew he was an abuser - he was let off the hook'

As London editor of 'Vanity Fair', Henry Porter tried to expose Mohamed al-Fayed's sex crimes as far back as 1995. He tells Mark Hollingsworth how the predator foiled him

Wearing an extravagantly coloured shirt and smelling of heavily scented perfume, Mohamed al-Fayed walks imperiously around Harrods accompanied by bodyguards. But he is not inquiring about the luxury brands on display. He is on the prowl for attractive young women – preferably English, fair-skinned, slim, vulnerable, naive, and upper class. If a girl attracts his attention, he’ll offer her an interview for a highly paid job.

Once inside his private office on the fifth floor, she will become easy prey. Despite the light Seventies pop music in the background, the atmosphere is heavy with menace. Closing the door, Fayed propositions her almost immediately and gropes her breasts and thighs. If she refuses his advances, he tries to stuff £50 notes down her blouse. Extravagant holidays, access to a free flat on Park Lane, gifts or a luxury car are offered. Some succumb out of fear. Others run out of the office.

If they complain, they are sacked instantly or become the subject of a fake police investigation. The billionaire Harrods owner is a sexual predator. Like a mafia boss, he is using his power and wealth to abuse young girls for his sexual gratification.

The true scale of Fayed’s abuse of his young female employees has been revealed in a devastating BBC investigation, Al Fayed – Predator at Harrods. The documentary reveals how five women were raped by the Egyptian billionaire tycoon who died last year.

Based on testimony from more than 20 former female employees, many more were sexually assaulted, threatened and harassed. “I did not give consent,” one victim told the BBC. “I just wanted it to be over”. Fayed “was a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass”, said another. “We were all so scared. He actively cultivated a culture of fear.”