The department store in Knightsbridge, west London, said it had “settled a number of claims with women” made against its former owner since last year…reports Asian Lite News
Harrods has said more than 250 people are part of its process to settle compensation claims over alleged sexual misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed.
The department store in Knightsbridge, west London, said it had “settled a number of claims with women” made against its former owner since last year.
It added that since the Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods documentary was broadcast by the BBC last month, there were more than 250 individuals “now in the Harrods process to settle claims directly with the business”.
The programme reported the claims of five women who said they were raped by Fayed, who died in 2023 at the age of 94, with several others alleging sexual misconduct.
In a statement on Monday, Harrods said: “Since 2023, Harrods settled a number of claims with women who alleged historic sexual misconduct by Fayed. “Since the airing of the documentary, so far there are over 250 individuals who are now in Harrods’ process to settle claims directly with the business.”
On Saturday Scotland Yard said a “detailed and thorough” review of allegations against Fayed was taking place, amid criticism of their actions in response to women who said they had been abused. The force added that after recent media coverage and its public appeals for people to come forward and speak to the police, officers had been contacted by 60 people reporting their experiences.
The Metropolitan police had asked prosecutors to decide whether to charge Fayed in relation to two out of 21 women who had made allegations, including of rape and sexual assault, between 2005 and 2023. Evidence was shown to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2009 and 2015, but it decided not to go ahead with either case because there was not “a realistic prospect of conviction”. The Met sought “early investigative advice” from the CPS after 10 other allegations, but no further action was taken.
Last week, Ronnie Gibbons, a former Fulham women’s captain, alleged she was sexually assaulted by Fayed, who was also the owner of Fulham football club, in 2000. Gibbons, who was 20 at the time, said she was forcefully kissed, groped and had twice felt trapped in a room by him.
This month, the group Justice for Harrods Survivors said the number of women “feeling safe to come forward” was “increasing on a daily basis”.