5th Apr 2025
Mohamed Al Fayed's actions lead to a compensation scheme run by iconic luxury store, Harrods
Billionaire businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, was the former owner of luxury department store Harrods, the Ritz Paris hotel and Fulham football club. Al Fayed was also a well-known public figure who had links to senior figures in Parliament and courted royalty and celebrities alike. He died in 2023. However, Al Fayed left a twisted legacy beyond the world of fashion and business.
Early Investigations
A 2024 investigation finally exposed decades of serious sexual abuse allegations including multiple counts of sexual assault, rape and attempted rape. Al Fayed is also alleged to have pressured many female members of staff to have unnecessary and invasive medical examinations that were often described as a perk for those working in the chairman’s office. Many of the women allege after they had received their medical examination results, senior PA's would send them up to Fayed’s office or apartment where they would be abused.
In 1995 Vanity Fair published an article alleging racism, staff surveillance and sexual misconduct by Fayed against Harrods staff.
In 1997 out of respect for the grieving father whose son Doddi had been killed along with Princess Di, Vanity Fair closed down its investigation.
In 2015 further investigations were conducted by ITV’s The Big Story, and by The Mirror. Neither culminated in any charges against Al Fayed.
In 2017 Channel 4’s programme “Dispatches” broadcast further allegations of sexual impropriety by Al Fayed.
In 2018 The Met Police started to investigate, but Al Fayed died in August 2023 without ever facing criminal charges.
The Harrods Statement
In 2023 Harrods began settling claims and in March 2025 the company announced it had set up a compensation redress scheme. Harrods “apologises unreservedly” for the sexual abuse people suffered and “wants everyone who is eligible to receive this compensation”, according to documents on the scheme’s website. The full statement from Harrods can be found at:-
The Harrods Compensation Scheme
The redress scheme, opened for applications on Monday 31 March 2025 and will remain live until 31st March 2026. Whilst this date seems a long way off, in relation to legal claims and redress schemes, this is a short deadline and you are recommended to seek advice on eligibility as soon as possible.
The Redress Scheme is funded by Harrods, and is designed to compensate those who were sexually abused by Al Fayed. Those eligible can apply for a number of types of compensation:
~ Compensation for the sexual abuse and effects upon mental health of up to £200,000.
~ Compensation for the detrimental effect upon a victim’s career of up to £150,000.
~ Additional compensation for particularly egregious abuse of up to £25,000.
~ Compensation for inappropriate medical examinations of up to £10,000.
~ Reimbursement of past treatment costs.
Compensation payments are likely to be made to those victims who worked with Al Fayed at Harrods. However, victims who allege they were assaulted away from Harrods or outside the UK can also receive compensation if their claim contains a “sufficiently close connection” to Harrods or to Al Fayed’s role there.
All eligible applicants will be offered a meeting with a senior Harrods’ representative, to receive an apology in person or by video, as well as an individual written apology.
The scheme will only require “documentary evidence”, meaning applicants will not be forced to go to Trial to give oral evidence about their claims.
Victims can instruct Robson Shaw Solicitors whose legal fees will be paid in addition to any compensation.
If a person makes a successful application and accepts an offer it will be treated as “full and final settlement”, meaning they waive their right to pursue action for damages.
Samantha Robson of Robson Shaw Solicitors comments as follows. “Working at Harrods for a lot of young women was a prestigious job, but it often came at a cruel cost. No one should expect to fear sexual assaults at work or elsewhere and no one should have to submit to inappropriate medical examinations to confirm their “purity”. Victims of these terrible events can now – at last – obtain compensation, although no amount of money will erase the memories of what happened, or adequately compensate those individuals for the ordeals. “
If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by the Al Fayed scandal please speak to Sam on a confidential, free and no obligation basis. We are offering genuine no win no fee arrangements for our Harrods Scheme clients. Sam may be contacted on her direct dial, 01392 345 331 or email her at sam@robsonshaw.uk.
Category: Employers