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Survivors of alleged sexual abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, are demanding justice for those they claim enabled and turned a blind eye to the abuse. A group of 50 survivors, supported by prominent figures including actor Richard Gere and women's rights advocate Gloria Allred, are seeking more than just financial compensation. “If they think the money is the important factor, they are so far off the mark,” said Jen Mills, a member of the Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group. The group claims there are “dozens of individuals who must be held to account” across various eras. The campaign group is pushing for Harrods to release the findings of an internal investigation into what staff knew about the abuse. They also want stricter regulation of HR professionals and an explanation for why the Metropolitan police and General Medical Council did not investigate complaints at the time. “It’s not just about what happened to us, it’s about making sure that this stops and that this doesn’t get to continue to the generations coming through,” Mills emphasized. Harrods recently closed a compensation scheme set up after dozens of women came forward with allegations of abuse by Al Fayed, who died in 2023 at the age of 94. Harrods states that the scheme represents only one form of redress available to survivors and was designed to provide resolution without a protracted legal process. 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.” The group plans to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and is seeking a committee of MPs to help push forward an investigation into the abuse at Harrods and the lack of prosecutions.

Harrods has faced criticism 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. The scheme was set up in March last year and was due to close on March 31 this year.Kingsley Hayes, partner at KP Law, which is representing nearly 280 survivors, questioned why the scheme was being closed before Harrods had completed an internal investigation into what happened and who knew about it. Hayes stated that the decision appears to be driven by financial considerations rather than what is fair and appropriate for survivors.The scheme provided an alternative resolution for survivors who did not wish to pursue litigation, offering 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. 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.Harrods' decision to close the scheme has been criticized as 'neither fair nor just', with Hayes 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.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. Harrods 'apologises unreservedly' for the sexual abuse survivors suffered and 'wants everyone who is eligible to receive this compensation'. A spokesperson for Harrods said the company 'recognises the remarkable bravery of survivors who come forward and continue to shed further light on this dark chapter to our history'.