Harrods Settling Over 250 Claims against Mohammed Al Fayed

Harrods has said more than 250 people are part of its process to settle compensation claims over alleged historic sexual misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed.

The London department store said it had “settled a number of claims with women” made against its former owner since last year.

It added that since the airing of a BBC documentary last month, there were more than 250 individuals “now in the Harrods process to settle claims directly with the business”.

The luxury store has a compensation scheme for former employees who claim they were attacked by Al Fayed. 

The scheme is separate from a legal case against the luxury department store being brought forward by several different law firms. 

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

Al Fayed is accused of multiple counts of rape and attempted rape by several women who were employed by his company. 

Many victims of the billionaire businessman said they felt unable to report what had happened to them until recently.

The BBC’s ‘Al Fayed: Predator At Harrods’ documentary reported the claims of five women who said they were raped by Mr Al Fayed, who died in 2023 at the age of 94, with a number of others alleging sexual misconduct.

In response to the BBC investigation, Harrods' owners said they are 'utterly appalled' by the allegations and that the victims of the businessman had been failed. The store has sincerely apologised. 

Earlier this month, the group Justice For Harrods Survivors said the number of women “feeling safe to come forward” was “increasing on a daily basis”.

On Saturday, Scotland Yard said a “detailed and thorough” review of allegations against Mr Al Fayed was taking place, amid criticism of their actions in response to women who said they had been abused.

The Metropolitan Police asked prosecutors to decide whether to charge Mr Al Fayed in relation to two out of 21 women who made allegations, including of rape and sexual assault, between 2005 and 2023.

Evidence was shown to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2009 and 2015, but it decided not to go ahead with either case because there was not “a realistic prospect of conviction”.

The Metropolitan Police sought “early investigative advice” from the CPS after 10 other allegations, but no further action was taken.

Mr Al Fayed acquired Harrods for £615 million in 1985.

In 2010, after 26 years in charge, he sold the department store to the Qatari royal family for a reported £1.5 billion.

The claims against Mohammed Al Fayed are of huge public interest and on a scale not seen since the Savile inquiry.

It is of great concern that, not for the first time, such a powerful man was able to use his position to sexually abuse his victims for his own gratification over many years and that, despite investigations taking place, he was not able to be brought to justice prior to his death.

Enquiries will no doubt continue for some time as to the reasons behind the prosecutor’s decisions but it is hoped that lessons are learned to ensure anyone suspected of committing such heinous crimes, not just men like Al Fayed, is properly tried for the sake of those survivors who, after finding the strength and courage to come forward in numbers, should have their cases decided in a court of law.

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of child abuse claim compensation.

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.