Harrods is accused of delaying payouts to Mohammed Al Fayed’s alleged victims with ‘crusader’ act as it battles to strip widow and daughters of control of his £118million estate

Harrods is asking the High Court to remove Mohammed Al Fayed’s widow and daughters as executors of his estate, arguing that independent solicitors should handle compensation claims from women who allege he abused them. Lawyers for the family say the store’s application is delaying settlements and presents a conflict of interest because Harrods is also seeking reimbursement from the estate.

More than 300 people are seeking damages from the estate and Harrods; one law firm represents 270 claimants and is seeking £150 million. The estate is valued at £118 million, largely through a £97 million loan note and £20 million in accrued interest held by a British Virgin Islands company, and lawyers say converting that value into cash requires a court grant there. The hearing also revealed disagreement among claimants’ representatives: more than eight in ten survivors reportedly support keeping the family as executors.