Hundreds come forward over Fayed abuse claims.

Lawyers investigating alleged sexual abuse by Mohamed alFayed revealed yesterday they have been contacted by more than 420 people, and warned any parties seeking to avoid liability: “We are coming for you.”

- ANDY GREGORY

Fayed, who died last year aged 94, was accused by more than 20 women of sexual assault in a BBC documentary which aired last month, including five women who said they were raped by the late Harrods and Fulham FC owner. That abuse is alleged to have taken place in London, Paris, St Tropez and Abu Dhabi.

Since the documentary Al Fayed: Predator At Harrods aired, more than 250 individuals are “now in the Harrods process to settle claims directly with the business”, the department store said last week. However, the Financial Times reported that four alleged victims had quit the compensation scheme, citing concerns over potential conflicts of interest and poor communication.

At a press conference yesterday, barrister Dean Armstrong KC said: “This is no longer only about survivors from Harrods. We now have clients who have suffered abuse at Harrods, at Fulham Football Club, at the hands of al-Fayed, and at various places associated with al-Fayed.”

“Our survivors have been let down by significant parts of our society, and the threats to them and obstacles placed in front of us as we seek to navigate the path to justice for them has not dimmed – in fact, it’s enhanced – our resolve,” he added.

Announcing that their team – Justice for Harrods Survivors – has partnered with a major law firm with the backing of £1bn, Mr Armstrong said they had sent their first letter of claim to Harrods yesterday.