A former Harrods executive will not join Fenwick as its new chief executive amid a growing fallout over claims of sexual abuse by Mohamed Fayed.

Nigel Blow, a long-serving former Harrods executive, has decided not to become the boss of department store Fenwick despite being due to start in the role this month, the BBC has learned. Mr Blow worked at Harrods for 14 years from 1992 to 2007,

Nigel Blow worked at Harrods for 15 years under Mohamed Al Fayed, who is accused of multiple sexual assaults after a BBC investigation.

A former Harrods executive who was set to take the reins at Fenwick later this month has decided not to join the department store, according to reports.

Nigel Blow had been named as the successor to Fenwick CEO John Edgar, who is stepping down after almost five years at the helm.

A former senior executive at Harrods has pulled out of a move to become the boss of department store Fenwick, Newcastle, weeks before he was due to start.