Harrods is addressing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against former owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
- More than 250 claims have emerged following a BBC documentary uncovering decades of abuse.
- Harrods’ new ownership expresses shock and acknowledges past failures to protect employees.
- An internal investigation seeks to identify any current staff involvement.
- A separate compensation scheme and legal action involve various law firms.
Harrods is currently managing over 250 claims lodged by women alleging sexual misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed, the department store’s former owner. The allegations emerged following a revealing documentary by BBC, which detailed decades of serious abuse, including accusations of rape and attempted rape during Al Fayed’s tenure from 1985 to 2010.
In response to these claims, the current owners of Harrods have expressed their shock, stating that they were “appalled” by the revelations. They conceded that there was a failure in protecting their employees and have initiated an investigation to determine if any members of the current staff were involved. This inquiry has been ongoing since the previous year.
Harrods communicated its decision to the BBC, affirming that it will not offer a “running commentary” on the internal review’s progress. In addressing these claims, Harrods has set up a compensation scheme specifically for former employees who assert they were victims of Al Fayed’s misconduct. This effort is distinct from a legal case led by several law firms against the luxury department store, highlighting a multi-faceted approach to resolving these issues.
The “Justice for Harrods Survivors” group, representing a significant number of Al Fayed’s accusers, has legal teams working with 147 women. It remains uncertain whether there is any overlap between those seeking damages from Harrods and those involved in separate legal proceedings.
Harrods is actively working to address the serious allegations against its former owner through internal reviews and compensation schemes.
