Allegations of abuse against Mohamed Al Fayed and his brother Salah have been heard in a UK court for the first time in a civil case being brought against Harrods.

A woman is suing Harrods Ltd for damages for personal injuries she alleges she suffered while working for the department store that the Fayeds owned.

A High Court hearing on Wednesday, where an application for anonymity for the claimant was granted, heard allegations that she was forced to terminate a pregnancy as well as being drugged and raped by Salah Fayed.

It is believed to be the first claim against Harrods to reach a UK court involving an alleged victim of Mohamed Al Fayed, who was never charged over rape and sexual assault allegations and died in 2023.

Solicitors Leigh Day, which represents the claimant, has previously said it had been contacted by more than 100 women.

A separate legal case is being brought by the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, which has previously said it is representing more than 400 women.

Al Fayed, who died aged 94, owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010.

Salah Fayed, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2010, was one of three Fayed brothers who purchased the luxury Knightsbridge store in 1985.

Claims of sexual offences by Al Fayed arose in a BBC documentary, after his death, which revealed the extent of his predatory behaviour.

It was only after the BBC broadcast in September that the Metropolitan Police revealed it had been approached by 21 women, before Al Fayed’s death, who accused him of sexual offences including rape, sexual assault and trafficking. Despite this, he was never charged with any offences.

Since the documentary aired, 90 further women have contacted the force, with allegations stretching as far back as 1977. A wider investigation by the Met into the claims against Al Fayed is ongoing.

Harrods’ new owners have previously said they are “appalled” by the allegations of sexual abuse and have been investigating since 2023 whether any current members of staff were involved.

The retailer has declined to say whether action has been taken against any individual or when the review might be completed.

In a statement on Wednesday, a Harrods spokesperson said it “supports the bravery of all survivors in coming forward”.

“These claims point to the breadth of abuse by Mohamed Fayed and again raise serious allegations against his brother, Salah Fayed,” the spokesperson added.

“The picture that has emerged suggests that this pattern of abusive behaviour took place wherever they operated.”

The Harrods spokesperson said it encouraged “survivors to look at every appropriate avenue to them in their pursuit of justice, whether that be Harrods, the police or the Fayed family and estate”.

“We cannot and would not comment on individual cases,” the spokeperson said.

In November, the Met Police said it was investigating at least five people it believes may have assisted or enabled Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged sexual offences.