Post Office compensation bombshell as 10,000 people may be eligible for payouts
A bombshell report into the Post Office Horizon scandal has revealed 10,000 people may be eligible for compensation.
More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted between 1999 and 2015 of theft and fraud due to faulty Horizon software used by the Post Office.
They were accused after faulty Horizon data incorrectly showed money was missing from their branch accounts. At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives following the impact of the prosecutions.
The scandal has been called the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK legal history, with anger around the case reignited last year thanks to the hit ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
The first part of a landmark final report has now been released today by retired judge Sir Wyn, in which he estimates there are around 10,000 people who are claiming compensation through four schemes.
This includes the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, Group Litigation Order Scheme, Overturned Convictions Scheme, and Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme.
It is expected that this number will rise by hundreds or more in the coming months. More than £1billion has so far been paid out to over 7,300 postmasters.
The 162-page report said: 'Wives, husbands, children and parents endured very significant suffering in the form of distress, worry and disruption (to home life, in employment and in education).
'In a number of cases relationships with spouses and partners broke down and ended in divorce or separation.'
Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said: 'The publication of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry's report today by Sir Wyn and his team marks an important milestone for subpostmasters and their families.
'I welcome the publication today and am committed to ensuring wronged subpostmasters are given full, fair, and prompt redress. The recommendations contained in Sir Wyn's report require careful reflection, including on further action to complete the redress schemes. Government will promptly respond to the recommendations in full in Parliament.'
Post Office Minister, Gareth Thomas, said: 'I welcome the Inquiry's publication today and pay tribute to Sir Wyn and his team for their comprehensive and penetrating work.
'We must never lose sight of the Horizon Scandal's human impact on postmasters and their families, which the Inquiry has highlighted so well.
'Sir Wyn's report highlights a series of failings by the Post Office and various governments. His recommendations are immensely helpful as a guide for what is needed to finish the job, and we will respond in full to Parliament after carefully considering them.'
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