Harrods has mentioned greater than 250 persons are a part of its course of to settle compensation claims over alleged sexual misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed.
The division retailer in Knightsbridge, west London, mentioned it had “settled various claims with ladies” made in opposition to its former proprietor since final yr.
It added that because the Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods documentary was broadcast on the BBC final month, there have been greater than 250 people “now within the Harrods course of to settle claims immediately with the enterprise”.
The programme reported the claims of 5 ladies who mentioned they had been raped by the entrepreneur, who died in 2023 on the age of 94, with various others alleging sexual misconduct.
In an announcement on Monday, Harrods mentioned: “Since 2023, Harrods settled various claims with ladies who alleged historic sexual misconduct by Fayed.
“For the reason that airing of the documentary, to this point there are over 250-plus people who at the moment are in Harrods’ course of to settle claims immediately with the enterprise.”
On Saturday Scotland Yard mentioned a “detailed and thorough” evaluation of allegations in opposition to Al Fayed was happening, amid criticism of their actions in response to ladies who mentioned that they had been abused.
The drive added that after current media protection and its public appeals for folks to come back ahead and communicate to the police, officers have been contacted by 60 folks reporting their experiences.
The Metropolitan police had requested prosecutors to resolve whether or not to cost Al Fayed in relation to 2 out of 21 ladies who had made allegations, together with of rape and sexual assault, between 2005 and 2023.
Proof was proven to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2009 and 2015, nevertheless it determined to not go forward with both case as a result of there was not “a sensible prospect of conviction”.
The Met sought “early investigative recommendation” from the CPS after 10 different allegations, however no additional motion was taken.
Final week, Ronnie Gibbons, a former Fulham ladies’s captain, alleged she was sexually assaulted by Al Fayed, who was additionally the proprietor of Fulham soccer membership, in 2000.
Gibbons, who was 20 on the time, mentioned she was forcefully kissed, groped and had twice felt trapped in a room by the businessman.
Earlier this month, the group Justice for Harrods Survivors mentioned the variety of ladies “feeling secure to come back ahead” was “growing each day”.
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