Compensation claims by 275 women over alleged abuse by Al-Fayed could reach £150m
The compensation claims of 275 women who allege sexual abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed could amount to between £100m and £150m. This estimate was given to The Guardian World by the law firm KP Law, which represents more than half of the known claimants.
According to KP Law's calculations, the total value of its clients' claims is two to three times higher than the amount the luxury department store has set aside for all payments in the case. The firm believes that Harrods and the late billionaire's estate could face total compensation claims exceeding £200m.
Harrods reserve and payments
Harrods' annual report, published in August, states that in 2025 the company paid £4.1m from the £57m set aside for compensation, excluding legal and administrative costs. The report also says that the reserve amount was reduced by £1.1m and stood at £51.8m in January 2026.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Harrods said it had settled 113 claims through its redress scheme. KP Law senior lawyer Lucy Trainor said that, based on the published figures, the average payment could have been approximately £82,000, while the actual average amount may be lower. The maximum payment under the scheme is up to £385,000: up to £200,000 in general compensation, up to £150,000 for the impact on work, as well as payments for treatment and in connection with improper medical tests.
Positions of the parties
Trainor called the Harrods scheme unsuitable for proper redress and said it undervalues the consequences of the alleged abuse for the claimants' lives and careers. According to her, some claims involve million-pound sums due to lost earnings and future income. KP Law said it had begun sending formal settlement offers to Harrods and Al-Fayed's estate.
Harrods said it does not comment on current settlement amounts but seeks to provide compensation to all individuals entitled to it. The company said that more than 260 claimants had applied to its scheme. More than 400 allegations were made against Al-Fayed, who died three years ago, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Harrods also expressed concern about the solvency of Al-Fayed's estate and its ability to pay compensation in a timely manner.
