Harrods is addressing over 250 claims of sexual misconduct allegations against its former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. The claims emerged following a BBC documentary’s revealing investigation. Harrods acknowledges past failings and is implementing a compensation scheme. The exact overlap of those seeking compensation and pursuing legal action remains uncertain.
- Harrods undertakes settlement of claims regarding historic allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed, its ex-owner.
- The BBC documentary prompted many women to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades.
- Al Fayed owned Harrods from 1985 to 2010 during which the alleged misconduct occurred.
- The department store expresses its regret over the situation and pledges to support affected former colleagues.
Harrods is currently involved in resolving more than 250 claims brought forward by women accusing its former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed, of sexual misconduct. These allegations include severe accusations such as rape and attempted rape, which came to light following a documentary aired by the BBC last month.
The luxury department store, now under new ownership, has publicly expressed its horror at these claims, stating that they have let down numerous employees during that era. Consequently, Harrods has been rigorously assessing whether any present staff members were implicated in these historic events, a process ongoing since the previous year.
In addition to the internal inquiry, Harrods has established a compensation programme specifically for ex-employees who allege abuses by Al Fayed. This programme operates distinctly from the broader legal actions being pursued against Harrods by various legal firms, as indicated by the store’s comments to the BBC.
A group named Justice for Harrods Survivors, which provides representation for Al Fayed’s accusers, notes that their legal team is currently collaborating with 147 women. Whether any of these individuals also seek compensation through Harrods’ scheme remains to be clarified.
While Harrods has pledged transparency, it has also announced that it will not offer continuous updates on its internal review, focusing instead on addressing the matter thoroughly and privately.
Harrods remains committed to righting the wrongs of its past and supporting those affected by the actions of its former owner.
