Paul Gascoigne's daughter says Mohamed Al Fayed sexually assaulted her

The daughter of England footballer Paul Gascoigne has revealed the 'horrific' moment she was sexually assaulted by Mohamed Al Fayed.

Model Bianca Gascoigne, 37, said she was groomed and sexually assaulted by the former Harrods boss when she worked in the department store as a teenager.

In a new interview, she told how Al Fayed would grope her and force her to kiss him during their weekly meetings, before turning up at her apartment.

Whilst there, he allegedly sexually assaulted her when she was just 16.

The daughter of the former footballer told Sky she had frequently visited Harrods as a child with her parents, where Al Fayed would charm the family and bring them gifts.

She began working for the firm at the age of 16 as a shop floor worker, and said she initially felt 'safe' in Al Fayed's company due to having previously met him.

But she described a pattern of grooming in which Al Fayed told her to see him as a 'father figure', before ultimately going on to assault her.

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Recounting how Al Fayed once offered her the Harrods Park Lane apartment to stay in before catching a flight, she said he unexpectedly turned up at the door while she was there.

Ms Gascoigne, who has recently had her own daughter, said:  '[Al Fayed] turned up at the apartment to my shock, I was just gobsmacked, I was kind of very shell-shocked.

'I just didn't really know what to do, he came in and then he sat me down on the sofa... he got his privates out and got my hands and was trying to manoeuvre them on his parts.

'When that didn't work he was trying to force my head on to his lap. I don't know how but I managed to wiggle away.'

She added she believes the fact Al Fayed knew her parents 'saved her' after she refused to give in to his sexual demands.

The model said the encounter was 'horrific' and that no-one knew of what was happening to her because she was scared to 'bring shame' to her family.

She also accused the late businessman of grooming, by repeatedly telling her her father was a 'bad father' and make comments about his mental health and addiction problems. 

He allegedly began groping her and forced her to kiss him every week during meetings, telling her if she told anyone she would lose her 'dream job'.

Ms Gascoigne is the latest victim to come forward after it was announced yesterday Harrods is in the process of settling some of the 250 claims against Al Fayed.

The luxury department store said the women came forward following the release of a BBC documentary last month, which uncovered years of sexual abuse allegations against the former owner of Harrods.

The Met Police said it has recorded 60 fresh allegations, in addition to 21 women who went to police between 2005 and 2023, including claims of rape and sexual assault.

Separately to compensation claims, several law firms are also bringing a case against Harrods on behalf of dozens of victims.

Justice for Harrods Survivors group, who represent accusers, said their lawyers were working with 147 women. 

Harrods has been contacted for comment.

In a statement released after the BBC documentary first came out, the firm said: 'We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed. 

'These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated and we condemn them in the strongest terms. We also acknowledge that during this time his victims were failed and for this we sincerely apologise.

'The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010, it is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do. 

'This is why, since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved. 

'This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees - please go to https://response.harrods.com for further information.

'While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.'