Compensation claims by more than 200 survivors of alleged abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed could total up to £150 million, according to the law firm representing many of the women.
KP Law, which represents more than 275 survivors, said the “true value” of its clients’ claims was likely to be two or three times the £51.8 million Harrods had set aside for future compensation payments.
The firm said its estimate included women who did not apply to the department store’s redress scheme. It contrasted the potential total with the £4.1 million Harrods had paid in compensation by the end of January this year.
Harrods’ accounts stated that a provision of £51.8 million had been recognised as at January 31 2026. The company’s redress scheme was open from March 31 2025 until March 31 this year, when it closed to new applications.
The accounts said the expected financial impact of claims made under the scheme had been “appropriately reflected” in the provision recorded by the company.
Law firm criticises Harrods redress scheme
Kingsley Hayes, a lead partner at KP Law, said the firm’s calculations undermined Harrods’ claims that it had placed survivors and their need for justice first.
“The redress scheme, which Harrods closed on March 31 2026, was not worth the paper it was written on,” he said.
Mr Hayes said almost all of the firm’s clients had chosen not to enter the scheme, citing concerns that had been raised when it was launched and continued until its closure.
He said the scheme was “simply not fit for purpose” and that the amount Harrods had set aside to resolve all claims was not based on reality.
“Harrods has used its own managed redress scheme to put its own commercial concerns ahead of survivor needs, seeking to minimise the commercial impact on the business while enabling it to falsely claim it had survivors’ interests at heart,” he said.
Harrods has been contacted for comment. While the scheme was open, a company spokesman said the business “supports the bravery of all survivors in coming forward” and encouraged women to pursue justice through the scheme, the police or the Fayed family and estate.
More than 400 allegations made
More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against Al Fayed and other people linked to him, relating to incidents between 1977 and 2014. The allegations include sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
The Metropolitan Police is dealing with at least 159 victims who contacted the force directly, including 21 who came forward before Al Fayed died aged 94 in 2023.
The investigation, known as Operation Cornpoppy, began in November 2024 and is examining people who may have facilitated or enabled alleged offences by Al Fayed.
The Met apologised last month after the email addresses of victims were disclosed in a data breach. The details were visible to other recipients of a monthly update email because the recipients had not been blind copied, and the force referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
