Over 100 Al Fayed abuse victims apply for compensation

More than 100 abuse victims of Mohamed Al Fayed have entered a compensation scheme opened by Harrods earlier this year, following his alleged sexual abuse of hundreds of women.

The department store confirmed it began issuing compensation to victims at the end of April, and the scheme remains open for new applications until 31 March 2026.

The store said its “hope is that all survivors receive 100% of the compensation awarded to them”.

A Harrods spokesperson told Retail Sector: “Since the launch of the Harrods Redress Scheme over three months ago, over 100 survivors have entered the redress process, many of whom have had eligibility confirmed. Survivors are making use of both the non-medical and medical pathways. 

“Compensation awards and interim payments began being issued to eligible survivors at the end of April. Given Harrods is paying reasonable legal costs, our hope is that all survivors receive 100% of the compensation awarded to them.”

They added: “A number of firms representing survivors have stated they are committed to this for applications that remain within the scheme and the scheme has been designed so that survivors can also apply directly without legal representation if they would rather do so. 

“As part of Harrods’ commitment to a trauma-informed approach, we continue to listen to survivor testimonies and feedback whether raised directly or via legal firms or Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, the Independent Survivor Advocate.” 

They concluded: “As a result, an addendum to the scheme has been issued to extend vicarious liability, within the scheme, to eligible survivors who were employed by Fayair (Jersey) Co. Limited, and to clarify the definition of Category 2 sexual assaults for the purpose of Work Impact Payment calculations. Further updates will continue to be issued to keep survivors informed of any developments within the scheme.”

Earlier this year, reports emerged that Harrods was planning to launch legal action against the estate of Mohamed Al Fayed, as a multimillion-pound legal bill for compensating his sexual abuse victims continued to rise. 

According to Sky News, the department store was set to file a passing-over application in the High Court in order to remove his estate’s current executors, replacing them with professional executors.

Professional executors would be expected to investigate the assets and liabilities of the estate. Sources said the current executors, who are thought to be close family members of the former Harrods owner, had “ignored” correspondence from its lawyers.

They added that the passing-over application would enable Harrods to potentially recover “substantial” sums from the Al Fayed estate, which is facing a compensation bill of “tens of millions” of pounds.

A Harrods spokesperson told Retail Sector last month: “We are considering legal options that would ensure that no doors are closed on any future action and that a route to compensation and accountability from the Fayed estate remains open to all.”

Al Fayed, who died in 2023, is believed to have raped or sexually abused hundreds of women during his 25-year tenure as the owner of the famous department store.