Among the allegations outlined by the lawyers was that women who worked directly for Al Fayed, a known germaphobe, underwent invasive medical exams to test them for sexually transmitted diseases with the results only sent to Al Fayed, not the employees themselves.

Harrods boss Mohamed al-Fayed was a bully “used to getting his own way” the home secretary who rejected his application for citizenship has said. Jack Straw also told The Independent Fayed was “absolutely furious” after the decision was taken to refuse him a British passport in 1999.