Harrods is investigating whether any current staff members were involved in the allegations against the store’s former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed.
The late Egyptian tycoon has been accused of rape and sexual assault by multiple women who worked at the iconic London store.
The department store is in direct communication with the Metropolitan Police and has opened an internal review to determine whether the billionaire’s colleagues played any part in the attacks.
Harrods has also said “there is an ongoing internal review” that includes “looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly.”
More than 100 women, including many of the Al Fayed’s former employees, have accused him of raping and sexually assaulting them before he died last year at the age of 94.
Victims have also accused Harrods staff of helping Al Fayed “cherry pick” young women and facilitating his sexual abuse. Their lawyers added there was a “machinery” surrounding the businessman that enabled him avoid facing justice for the attacks.
One victim claimed that a senior Harrods manager who still works at the store failed to investigate a complaint she made accusing Al Fayed of sexually assaulting her in 2008.
Sources within Harrods have said the business has accepted vicarious liability for the conduct of Mr Al Fayed for the purpose of settling claims of alleged victims brought to its attention since 2023, reaching settlements with the vast majority.
Harrods added on Monday that its “settlement process was designed in consultation with independent external counsel and experts in personal injury litigation.
“All claims settled to date and moving forwards will be based on the guidance of these external individuals to ensure swift and impartial outcomes for the victims.”
The Knightsbridge store described Al Fayed as an “individual who was intent on abusing his power” after the allegations were revealed in a BBC documentary last week.
Bruce Drummond, a barrister representing a group of victims, accused the department store of knowing “for years about the systematic abuse that took place” there and called on its long-serving managing director, Michael Ward, to clarify “what he knew and when”.
Mr Ward, 68, who was paid £2.1m last year, was appointed by Al Fayed in 2005, before Qatar purchased Harrods through its Qatar Investment Authority in 2010 for £1.5 billion.
Harrods said that Ward would not be involved in its settlement scheme for Al Fayed’s victims after it agreed to compensate them.
Mr Drummond said: “Michael Ward should be clear on what he knew when and should have nothing to do with liaising with victims today.
“It’s a complete conflict of interest for Harrods to say they have an internal process in place to deal with this scandal. They have known for years about the systematic abuse that took place and only chose to half-heartedly act when they knew the accusations were going to be made public.
“Harrods cannot be marking their own homework. They are trying to whitewash this whole process. If they are serious about righting the wrongs of the past they should provide the survivors with independent counsel.”
Harrods said: “As part of our due diligence there is an ongoing internal review, supported by external counsel, including looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly.
“In addition, the Harrods board has established a non-executive committee of the board to further consider the issues arising from the allegations. Harrods is also in direct communication with the Metropolitan Police to ensure we are offering our assistance with any of their relevant inquiries.”
