Lynne Franks OBE

I have been an activist for women’s equality and empowerment for many years, working  particularly to draw attention to violence and abuse of women and girls.  And heartbreakingly,  it is quite clear that we are going backwards as far as accountability is concerned. I am proud to be an Ally for the victims of Mohammed Al Fayed who used his power as Chairman of Harrods  for so many years to abuse young women.

I only wish he was still alive to be publicly shamed for his disgusting and terrible behaviour and now at the very least, it is clearly essential for an independent enquiry where all the victims are acknowledged and compensated. Although how do you compensate a woman for being treated as a chattel and harmed for life. Women and girls must  feel safe and we must all make sure that a situation like this one, Epstein and all other abuses by powerful men of women is simply not tolerated any more.