Harrods Scandal Deepens as 275 Women Pursue Up to £150 Million Over Alleged Al Fayed Abuse

More than 275 women are being represented by a law firm pursuing compensation claims linked to alleged sexual abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, with the total value potentially reaching £150 million.

KP Law says its estimate could be more than double, and potentially close to three times, the amount Harrods has set aside for future compensation. The figure comes months after the luxury department store closed its dedicated redress scheme for new applications.

The widening gap between the potential value of the claims and Harrods' provision has intensified scrutiny of how the scandal is being handled, while a separate Metropolitan Police investigation continues into hundreds of allegations connected to Al Fayed.

£150 Million Estimate Puts Harrods Provision Under Pressure

KP Law, which represents more than 275 alleged survivors, estimates the claims could ultimately be worth between £100 million and £150 million. The calculation includes women who did not apply to Harrods' redress scheme.

That compares with £51.8 million Harrods had set aside for future compensation claims in accounts covering the year to January 2026. The company had paid £4.1 million in compensation by the end of January, according to figures cited by Sky News.

The potential liability therefore represents almost three times the amount Harrods has currently provisioned for future claims. KP Law lead partner Kingsley Hayes said the firm's calculation showed the amount set aside by Harrods was not sufficient to reflect the likely scale of claims.

He also criticised the company's redress scheme as inadequate. Harrods has previously said it supports survivors coming forward and has encouraged those affected to consider all available routes to justice.

Redress Scheme Closed as Claims Continue

Harrods launched its redress scheme in March 2025 after allegations against Al Fayed became public on a much larger scale. The scheme offered compensation for eligible claims involving alleged sexual abuse connected to Al Fayed's activities at the company. It closed to new applications on 31 March 2026, although some legal representatives have continued pursuing claims through other routes.

The scheme included payments for general damages, work-related impact, treatment costs, and other forms of redress. Depending on the circumstances, eligible applicants could receive substantial compensation without pursuing a conventional civil trial.

The closure has not ended the wider compensation dispute. Lawyers representing alleged survivors are continuing to examine civil claims involving Harrods, Al Fayed's estate, and other associated parties.

That leaves the £150 million estimate as a measure of potential exposure rather than a final liability. Individual claims still have to be assessed and resolved, and the total could change as cases progress.

Hundreds of Allegations Drive Wider Investigation

The compensation dispute forms part of a much broader scandal surrounding Al Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94. More than 400 allegations of sexual misconduct dating from 1974 to 2014 have been made against Al Fayed and other alleged perpetrators connected to him. The allegations include sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.

The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Cornpoppy in November 2024 to investigate people who may have facilitated or enabled alleged offences connected to Al Fayed. The force has also received reports directly from at least 159 alleged victims.

Harrods has said it is cooperating with the police investigation and has maintained an open line of communication with the force. The scale of the allegations has also raised questions about how the alleged abuse was able to continue over decades, including whether people within Al Fayed's business network knew about or facilitated misconduct.

Financial Liability Could Extend Beyond Harrods

The potential £150 million figure also highlights the complicated financial picture facing those seeking compensation. Harrods has accepted vicarious liability for certain abuse connected to Al Fayed and established its redress scheme as an alternative route to compensation. However, lawyers representing alleged survivors are also pursuing potential claims against other parties, including Al Fayed's estate.

That distinction matters because the eventual amount recovered by claimants may depend on which entities are legally liable, the strength of individual cases, and the assets available to meet any settlements or judgments.

For Harrods, the controversy is therefore no longer only about reputational damage. The latest estimate points to a potentially substantial financial exposure, with hundreds of allegations still feeding into compensation discussions and a police investigation.

As more claims move beyond the company's closed redress scheme, the central issue is shifting from how many allegations have been made to how much compensation could ultimately be required.