Harrods’ compensation scheme for survivors of Mohamed Al-Fayed closed today, but those abused by the former owner say it did not go far enough, ITV News Correspondent Sejal Karia reports
Survivors of abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed have returned to the department store, many for the first time in decades, as its compensation scheme closes – warning it has not delivered justice and calling for those who enabled the abuse to be held accountable.
Lindsay Mason, who worked as Al-Fayed’s personal assistant in the late 1980s, said she was sexually assaulted and that he attempted to rape her.
Returning to Harrods, she described the experience as overwhelming.
“Being in such close proximity to the place that really had a devastating and irrevocable effect on my life… I’m feeling very anxious,” she said.
Al-Fayed, who died in 2023, is accused of abusing hundreds of women and girls over nearly four decades. Some survivors believe the true scale may be even greater.
Harrods launched its compensation scheme last year after the wave of allegations came to light, setting aside millions of pounds for victims.
The company has said it is “deeply sorry” and has described the culture under Al-Fayed as one of “secrecy, intimidation and abuse”.
More than 200 people are understood to have come forward ahead of the scheme’s closure today.
For Harrods, it represents an effort to address historic wrongdoing. But for the survivors who I met today, it falls short.
Jen Mills, who also worked for and was abused by Al-Fayed, said she refused to take part.
“It’s preposterous that the very people who enabled these crimes are now the very people that are running that compensation scheme. So they are well and truly marking their own homework.”
Others argue the issue goes far beyond one individual.
“This is not a one-man situation,” said survivor Cheska Hill-Wood. “We were almost put on a conveyor belt fed into this hell. And there has to be accountability for that.”
Other survivors say the scheme has offered a meaningful option.
They told ITV News they found the scheme supportive and that it provided some closure without a lengthy legal process.
But part of the associated paperwork has raised concern.
Particularly, a form that requires those receiving compensation to agree Harrods no longer holds liability.
In the small print, claimants are asked if they would assist the company recover costs from Al-Fayed’s estate.
One survivor described that request as “strange”, saying it appeared to suggest Harrods begrudged making amends.
She also questioned why she should help – when she believes the company enabled the abuse she suffered.
The independent survivors’ advocate, Jasvinder Sanghera, who has been hired by Harrods to help ensure the scheme is fair, said 200 women had come forward to make a claim.
“Many women will say to me it’s not about the money,” she said. “It’s about being heard, being valued and being acknowledged and that’s what redress is about.”
She added that survivors continue to have options beyond the scheme, including ongoing support and legal routes.
For those gathered outside Harrods today the scheme falls short.
They want a full public inquiry and a faster police investigation to ensure those involved in enabling abuse are brought to justice.
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