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HARRODS CHARITY BLOW
Major UK charity cuts ties with Harrods over Mohamed Fayed abuse scandal
Move comes after Fayed victims’ lawyers accused Harrods of enabling the former owner’s abuse
THE British Red Cross has cut ties with Harrods over the Mohamed Fayed abuse scandal.
The charity will no longer accept donations from the posh store, saying it does not fit its “organisational values and fundamental principles”.
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The move comes after Fayed victims’ lawyers accused Harrods of enabling the former owner’s abuse.
A source confirmed the Red Cross had cut ties with the store since a BBC probe into Fayed in September.
Harrods listed the Red Cross as one of five community partners.
But the section on the Red Cross had been removed by Thursday, after we approached the charity on Wednesday.
Read more on Mohamed Fayed
A source close to the Justice for Harrods Survivors group called the decision a “brave and massive move”.
They added: “Victims of Fayed are hoping this is the first of many to ditch Harrods and that this could cause a domino effect.
"This includes corporate partners and celebrities who are still linked to Harrods.”
A Fayed abuse survivor said: “I am heartened by this. It gives me hope that people are hearing our stories and understanding the impact it has had on our lives.”
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Harrods donated £1million to British Red Cross’s London fire relief fund following the 2017 Grenfell disaster. The store has also donated surplus stock to be sold in Red Cross shops.
The charity said: “We have a robust ethical fundraising policy.
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“This ensures we only accept donations that are in line with our organisational values and fundamental principles.
"We are not accepting donations from Harrods and they are not one of our corporate partners.”
Harrods has apologised to victims, saying it is “utterly appalled” by the allegations of abuse by Fayed, who died last year aged 94.
It was contacted for comment.
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