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Harrods has confirmed that over 100 individuals who allege abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed have entered a compensation scheme that commenced on March 31st.
The luxury department store began distributing compensation payments in late April, with the scheme remaining open for applications until March 31st, 2026.
Harrods has broadened the eligibility criteria to include employees of Fayair (Jersey) Co Ltd, one of Fayed’s private airline companies.
Furthermore, Harrods has initiated legal proceedings in the High Court, seeking the replacement of the executors of Fayed’s estate, citing a lack of “any progress” in resolving his affairs since his death in 2023.
Harrods stated that this action is to “ensure the Estate is responsibly administered, [and to] to protect any assets in the Estate for the benefit of potential claimants”.
The BBC has reached out to representatives of the Fayed family for comment.
Harrods added that “feedback from survivors continues to be listened to whether raised directly or via legal firms or Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, the Independent Survivor Advocate”.
Numerous women who were employed by the former department store owner, who passed away last year, have accused him of rape and sexual assault.
In March, Harrods announced that victims of abuse by the former owner could receive up to £385,000 in compensation, in addition to treatment costs, upon agreeing to be assessed by a consultant psychiatrist.
Survivors who opt not to undergo medical assessment by a psychiatrist will receive lower compensation payments.
Harrods has specified that individuals can apply for varying compensation amounts, including General Damages up to £200,000 and a Work Impact Payment sum of up to £150,000.
Many of those alleging abuse by Fayed reported undergoing intrusive medical examinations during the hiring process. Compensation for such testing could reach up to £10,000.
Coverage will also be provided for past treatment expenses.
Harrods had previously indicated that eligibility for the scheme does not require prior employment at Harrods, but the claim must demonstrate a “sufficiently close connection”.
Individuals alleging assault outside the UK “in circumstances that are sufficiently connected” to Fayed’s position at Harrods may also be eligible for compensation.
The BBC’s Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods featured testimonies from over 20 former female employees of Harrods who alleged sexual assault or rape by Fayed.
Following the release of the documentary and podcast in September, dozens more women submitted accounts of abuse by Fayed, including allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape, to the BBC.
The documentary and podcast revealed that during Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene in instances of alleged abuse but also actively assisted in covering up these allegations.
In response to the investigation at the time, the current owners of Harrods expressed that they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that his victims had been failed, for which the store sincerely apologised.
Fayed was not charged with any offences before his death.
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