Luxury department store Harrods is currently conducting an internal review to determine whether any of its current staff were involved in the alleged sexual abuse of women by its former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. More than 100 women have come forward to accuse Fayed of rape and assault, with the abuse allegedly spanning over several decades.
Harrods has set up a non-executive committee to address the allegations and is cooperating with Scotland Yard in their investigations. Lawyers representing the victims have criticized the store’s redress scheme as a “whitewash” and have called for independent counsel for the survivors.
Michael Ward, the current managing director of Harrods appointed by Fayed in 2005, is believed to be the most highly paid director at the store. However, he will not play a role in the settlement scheme. Harrods has settled a number of cases in the past 18 months and is not enforcing non-disclosure agreements signed during Fayed’s time.
Victims like Joan, represented by Leigh Day, have called for a public inquiry into the failure to stop Fayed’s alleged abuse. Harrods has apologized for failing its employees and is working to compensate survivors, emphasizing that they are a different organization now compared to Fayed’s ownership.
The store is committed to addressing the allegations and ensuring justice for the victims. They claim to have new evidence that emerged last year, prompting them to settle claims quickly without lengthy legal proceedings. The focus is now on providing support and compensation to those affected by the alleged abuse.
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