Harrods increases compensation settlements for al Fayed abuse victims

Harrods has increased the maximum compensation payouts to settle claims brought forward by alleged sexual abuse victims of the retailer’s former owner Mohamed al Fayed.

More than 250 claims have been made against al Fayed of sexual misconduct including rape and attempted rape during his time at the helm of the iconic London department store.

Lawyers at MPL Legal are understood to have increased the potential payout for survivors from £330,000 to almost £400,000, Sky News reported.

It is understood that final proposals for compensation will be published today (31 March).

Harrods said last year that it was “utterly appalled” by the hundreds of sexual abuse claims that were made against al Fayed by numerous female employees.

The compensation scheme is thought to include general damages lump sums of up to £110,000 or £200,000, with higher figures available to claimants who are willing to undergo a psychiatric assessment arranged by Harrods.

Some elements to the proposed compensation payments have been revised upwards from what has been previously reported, while others have remained unchanged.

Harrods’ compensation bill is expected to run into the tens of millions of pounds depending on how many women submit compensation claims either through the MPL Legal scheme or via another law firm.

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