Harrods has been accused of being “neither fair nor just” over its decision to close a compensation scheme for survivors of alleged sexual abuse by the luxury department store’s former owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
Kingsley Hayes, partner at KP Law, which is representing nearly 280 survivors, questioned why the scheme was being closed on Tuesday 31 March, before Harrods had completed an internal investigation into what happened and who knew about it.
“We are concerned that the decision appears to be driven by financial considerations rather than what is fair and appropriate for survivors,” the law firm said in a statement.
Harrods set up a compensation scheme in March last year which it said at the time would only run until 31 March this year.
The scheme was set up after dozens of women came forward with allegations of abuse by the late entrepreneur going back as far as 1977 after the broadcast last year of the BBC documentary Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods.
Hayes said the scheme provided an alternative resolution for survivors who did not wish to pursue litigation.
“It is therefore wrong to impose a self-serving deadline,” he said.
“Today we are calling on Harrods to ‘do the honourable thing’ and delay the closure of the redress scheme and commit to publishing the findings of its long overdue internal investigation into what happened and who knew. Survivors are being asked to make life-altering decisions without access to the full picture. That is neither fair nor just.”
Harrods said more than 220 people had now engaged with the redress scheme which it said had been designed in consultation with specialist barristers, survivors and their legal representatives.
It said compensation had been paid to more than 70 survivors and it added “any partial submissions will continue to be recognised and progressed to completion after this date”.
A spokesperson for Harrods said: “We recognise differing views, however Harrods has always stated that the scheme represents only one form of redress available to survivors.
“It was designed to provide resolution without the need for a protracted legal process and to ensure all reasonable legal fees could be paid and the full compensation award would go to the individual. Our commitment to redress does not end with the application deadline.
“Harrods recognises the remarkable bravery of survivors who come forward and continue to shed further light on this dark chapter to our history. The intention of the Harrods redress scheme has been to support survivors of the despicable sexual abuse perpetrated by Fayed, for which we have accepted vicarious liability and utterly condemn. We stand by the progress made through this scheme, and our commitment to these survivors continues.”
The Metropolitan police said last year that 111 women had made allegations against Fayed; the youngest is thought to have been 13 at the time.
In documents on the scheme’s website, Harrods “apologises unreservedly” for the sexual abuse survivors suffered and “wants everyone who is eligible to receive this compensation”.
Those eligible for its redress scheme could apply for a number of types of redress including general damages of up to £200,000 and a work impact payment of up to £150,000 as well as payments for “wrongful testing” and treatment costs.
All eligible applicants are 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, developed with the law firm MPL Legal and funded by Harrods did not require survivors to undergo medical assessment and claims could be based on “documentary evidence” without alleged victims having to speak in person about their experiences.
