Harrods Closes Compensation Scheme After Paying Over 70 Survivors of Al Fayed Abuse

# Harrods Compensation Scheme Closes After Payments to Over 70 Survivors of Al Fayed Abuse Harrods has closed its compensation scheme to new submissions. More than 220 survivors engaged with the scheme. Harrods has made payments to more than 70 survivors so far.

Harrods has accepted vicarious liability for the sexual abuse perpetrated by Al Fayed and utterly condemns it, according to a Harrods spokesperson. The scheme is for survivors who want a more swift conclusion to proceedings to limit re-traumatisation, Tom Fletcher stated. Tom Fletcher is representing women from across the world including the US, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Metropolitan Police Investigation Expands to Human Trafficking The Metropolitan Police stated that 154 victims have come forward reporting allegations of sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.

The Metropolitan Police investigation has broadened to include the offence of human trafficking. The Metropolitan Police has interviewed three women aged in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and one man in his 60s under caution.

Survivors Describe Experiences of Abuse at Harrods Sarah spoke anonymously to BBC London about her experience of being abused by Al Fayed while working at Harrods.

Al Fayed's abuse of Sarah began after she went to work in his offices. Al Fayed's abuse of Sarah started with an inappropriate hug and an inappropriate kiss on the cheek. Sarah chose a handbag that was charged to the chairman's account.

Sarah stated that gifting things to young girls and charging it to Al Fayed's account was common practice. Sarah stated that there was a very organised system of people and process in place around Al Fayed that allowed the abuse to happen and they were not kept safe.

Sarah and Jane gave similar descriptions of being picked out from the shop floor to work closely with Al Fayed and told they would undergo medical examinations.

Sarah's medical examination included a cervical smear test. Many women who say they were assaulted while working for Harrods underwent medicals including invasive sexual health tests. Al Fayed kissed Jane on the cheek at her job interview.

Al Fayed asked Jane if she had a boyfriend at her job interview.

Concerns Raised with Harrods Not Addressed Sarah raised concerns with Harrods at the time but was not taken seriously.

The member of staff told Sarah 'you silly girl. '. Jane raised concerns with Harrods that she was frightened of Al Fayed but was told the rumours were not true and she had nothing to worry about.

Background on Al Fayed Ownership and Investigation Al Fayed owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010.

Al Fayed died in 2023 aged 94. A BBC documentary and podcast titled Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods was broadcast in September 2024. Harrods established an independent external investigation into whether any current employees knew about the alleged abuse, which is concluding.

One employee left Harrods last year in relation to action taken by Harrods. Michael Carrick stated that there was an arm in the face of Lisandro to start, he goes to balance and touched his hair.