Sort your family row out privately, judge tells feuding Fayeds
THE feuding children of billionaire former Harrods owner Mohamed Fayed have been told by a judge to settle their differences in private to avoid a costly and embarrassing High Court battle.
Omar and Camilla Fayed have been at war for the last year, making claims about an incident at their father’s estate during the first lockdown.
Omar, 33, says he was attacked by Ms Fayed’s husband, Syrian businessman Mohamad Esreb, but his sister has suggested her brother was “on drugs”.
Mr Fayed Sr, 92, has sold his stakes in Fulham FC and Harrods. But he faces being thrust into the spotlight in a High Court battle.
Senior Master Fontaine urged both sides to settle the case rather than forcing the dispute to a full trial. She told them: “It would serve the relationships between the individuals to resolve matters privately.” Ms
Fayed bought a share in fashion brand Issa in 2011. Her brother says he is a “businessman, artist and environmentalist”. Omar took action against his sister and Mr Esreb last year, saying he was attacked at the family home in Surrey.
He went to the home gym after a row with his mother, and claims he was subjected to homophobic slurs from Mr Esreb. “An attempt was made to grab his iPhone,” legal filings for Omar state. “He was struck on the back of his head and grabbed round his neck. He was thrown backwards where he collided with a rowing machine.”
Omar claims he suffered a wound to his arm and pain in his ribs. Ms Fayed said Omar was “tense and restless”. She believed her brother “was on drugs” and was behaving erratically.
Omar claims the confrontation over the iPhone was fuelled by a desire to access messages relating to other disputes. Mr Esreb says he has been wrongly dubbed a “spy” by Omar, and said Mr Fayed snr and his wife were both “upset” after speaking to their son. The dispute was adjourned to allow the sides to enter mediation.