Harrods appoints lawyer for survivors following Al Fayed allegations

Harrods has appointed a lawyer for survivors following sexual harassment allegations made against its former owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

Al Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, was accused of sexual assault by more than 20 women in September in a BBC documentary and podcast.

In her role, human rights campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera will meet with “as many survivors as possible” and guide them through the retailer’s compensation process, which Harrods says has “involved” more than 290 people.

Justice for Harrods Survivors, which represents some accusers, said “only a truly independent, robust and transparent process” could meet the needs of survivors.

Since the first complaints came to light, more women have come forward with allegations of assault, harassment and rape spanning more than 30 years while they were Al Fayed employees.

The allegations relate to abuses that allegedly occurred at Fulham FC, the Ritz Hotel Paris, Harrods and other locations belonging to Al Fayed.

In recent days, law firm Leigh Day said it had been contacted by more than 100 women in total.

The luxury department store said Dame Jasvinder’s appointment was an extension of the claims process, which “includes advice and payment of all reasonable legal costs incurred by the claimants”.

In a statement, Dame Jasvinder said survivors “deserve representation from someone who truly understands their well-being and puts them first.”

She added: “It is clear that Mohamed Al Fayed was a predator who used his position and power to systematically abuse women in various situations.

“I am honored to be part of this project as I firmly believe that Harrods wants to get it right.”

Harrods said Dame Jasvinder will help provide “wider trauma-informed support” thanks to her experience supporting women affected by sexual abuse.

Last Thursday, Justice for Harrods Survivors announced at a press conference in London over 400 alleged victims and witnesses were contacted.

Most of the 421 claims involved Harrods, but others related to incidents at Fulham FC and the Ritz Paris hotel, which Al Fayed also owned at the time of the alleged attacks, the group said.

The lawyers added that survivors included people from Britain, America, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Al Fayed: Predator at Harrodswhich aired in September, heard testimony from more than 20 former Harrods employees.

The documentary and podcast show that during Al Fayed’s ownership of Harrods, Harrods not only failed to intervene, but helped cover up the harassment allegations.

In response to the investigation, Harrods’ current owners said they were “absolutely appalled” by the allegations and the fact that its victims had failed, for which the store apologized sincerely.