logo
Post Office scandal victim: 'I need someone to be punished'

Post Office scandal victim: 'I need someone to be punished'

BBC Newsa day ago
Former sub-postmaster Harjinder Butoy spent more time in prison than any other victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.After 18 months in jail, it then took another 15 years to clear his name. He is one of dozens of sub-postmasters who gave evidence to the official inquiry into what happened.The inquiry chair, Sir Wyn Williams, will deliver the first part of his final report on Tuesday, which will focus on the human impact of the scandal and will also look at compensation.But Mr Butoy is not sure he will be able to watch. "It's going to bring back too many bad memories for me," he told the BBC, adding he needs "someone to be punished".
The Post Office scandal is believed to be one of the biggest miscarriages of justices in UK history.Thousands of victims were wrongly blamed for financial losses from the faulty Horizon computer system which was rolled out across the Post Office branch network from 1999.More than 900 people were prosecuted and 236 were sent to prison.Mr Butoy was one of them, convicted of stealing more than £200,000 from his branch in Nottinghamshire in 2007. "We lost everything from the day I got sentenced. We lost our business. I had to declare bankruptcy. My wife and three kids had to move back in with my parents, " he says.After he was released from prison his conviction meant he struggled to find work and his health also suffered."I just want everyone to know the impact, what's happened to us all. But I also need someone to be punished and let them go to prison and feel like what we've been through," he says.His conviction was overturned in 2021. Parliament later passed a law exonerating all those who had been convicted.
'Huge day'
The inquiry heard from 189 people who gave evidence on how the scandal had turned their lives upside down.Many lost their businesses, some lost their homes, and most lost their reputations and financial security.The second part of the inquiry's report – on how the scandal happened and why – may not be published until 2026.
Although Harjinder Butoy may not be watching, Wendy Buffrey and Nichola Arch will be among dozens of victims and their families travelling to hear Sir Wyn speak as he presents Volume 1 of his report. Many more will be watching the proceedings livestreamed over the internet.Mrs Buffrey, who had a Post Office in Cheltenham, was suspended after an audit in December 2008 and prosecuted. She had to sell her house and business to pay off the alleged shortfall in her accounts, and has suffered with her mental health.She says the publication of the report is going to be "a huge day"."To actually have the establishment recognise what they've put us through is huge," she said. "The apologies we've had from the Post Office have been so mealy-mouthed, not thought through, and really not sincere."Mrs Arch, who managed the Chalford Hill branch near Stroud, says: "You would hope the government would acknowledge every detail of that report."She was accused of stealing from pensioners, shunned by her local community, and spat on outside a local supermarket.After two years she was found not guilty, "but the damage had been done by then".The impact on her family was "like a tsunami", she says. "It's like a cobweb. It just affects every single friend, family, child, you know, connected to you."
'Painful' compensation issue
For many victims of the scandal, the most pressing issue is financial redress.That's the main reason why Sir Wyn has split his report into two, to publish his findings on the progress of compensation as soon as possible.He has taken a keen interest on how redress is being delivered, holding several hearings on the issue and delivering an interim report in 2023 where he likened the various schemes to a "patchwork quilt with some holes in it"."Compensation has been a painful issue," says solicitor David Enright, from Howe & Co, which represents hundreds of wronged sub-postmasters."However, we are also hoping [the report] will remind people of what the real harm has been, and that is the shattering of families across the country. "According to the latest figures from the government, more than £1bn has been paid out in compensation to over 7,300 sub-postmasters.However, hundreds are still waiting for their final payments and many are locked in disputes over the amount they have been offered.Mr Butoy has only just submitted his claim for compensation. It has taken three years to gather all the necessary reports and paperwork. "Clearing our name was so good. But compensation is very hard. It's like they don't believe us, don't trust us."His solicitor, Neil Hudgell, whose firm also represents hundreds of other former sub-postmasters, told the BBC that if the situation doesn't improve, full and fair redress for all victims could take another two to three years.Hudgell Solicitors says it has helped more than 300 people agree damages totalling more than £170m. However, Mr Hudgell says his firm still has more than 700 cases waiting to be resolved through the various compensation schemes.Meanwhile, the police officer leading the investigation into the scandal has admitted criminal trials may not start until 2028.For Mr Butoy, and others who want to see those responsible held to account, the wait continues.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Catholic MP warns of ‘witch hunt' over assisted dying bill
Catholic MP warns of ‘witch hunt' over assisted dying bill

Times

time8 minutes ago

  • Times

Catholic MP warns of ‘witch hunt' over assisted dying bill

An MP whose priest denied him communion for voting for assisted dying has warned of a 'witch hunt' of fellow Catholic politicians. Chris Coghlan's priest wrote to him before the House of Commons vote to legalise assisted dying, warning he would be 'obstinately persevering' in sin if he supported the bill. Coghlan, a Liberal Democrat, supported the bill despite the threats. It has passed the Commons and will start its journey through the House of Lords in September. Fr Ian Vane, the priest, went on to give three masses publicly denouncing Coghlan for his decision. Coghlan called for disciplinary sanctions against Vane. Senior figures in the church are understood to have ruled that the priest was within his rights to make the decision, but they are unhappy that the issue was not dealt with in private. Coghlan said the incident shows there was a 'conflict of interest' for Catholic MPs and Lords. 'I know of at least 13 other Catholic MPs who voted either for assisted dying or to decriminalise abortion, and there appears to be a public witch hunt', Coghlan said. 'The Catholic press is pushing for them to be denied communion as well. 'But we're not here as Catholic MPs, we're here to represent our constituents … this is a clear attempt to meddle with the political process by the church.' Religion was as strong a predictor of how an MP would vote on the assisted dying bill as the party they belong to. Some 57 per cent of Christian MPs opposed the bill, including 74 per cent of Catholics, compared with 18 per cent of non-believers. Coghlan, who represents Dorking and Horley in Surrey, said that MPs should be forced to declare their membership of a faith before discussing life issues like abortion and assisted dying. 'In the same way that if you own shares in a company and you're talking about that company in a debate, you would declare that conflict of interest beforehand. And you probably would not vote either. 'I think it's a major problem for parliament in that we have this bill going through right now and the actions of Catholic parliamentarians could have a material impact on that. 'It is incredibly important for public trust in parliament, that parliamentarians are able to demonstrate that they're acting in the best interests of their constituents or the country in the case of the Lords. 'It is hard to see how that is the case if they're also being required by their faith to vote in a certain way, with the threat of public disciplinary sanctions as happened to me, and looks like may happen to other MPs.' • Assisted dying: 8 practical questions MPs still need to answer Under the laws of the Roman Catholic church, priests 'cannot deny the sacraments to those who seek them at appropriate times', but there can be exceptions. One law, Canon 915, forbids a priest from administering Holy Communion to those who have been excommunicated or formally barred from the sacrament and also from those they judge to 'obstinately persist in manifest grave sin'. This gives a priest the right to use their discretion. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, had repeatedly called on Catholics to put pressure on their MPs to oppose the assisted dying bill, but no Catholic bishop or archbishop has been willing to comment publicly on Vane's decision to refuse communion to Coghlan, deeming it to be a matter for the local diocese of Arundel and Brighton. The priest and diocese were approached for comment. The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton said that neither would provide any further is understood, however, that some senior figures in the English and Welsh church feel the priest should have taken greater heed of the late Pope Francis's words in 2016 when he said: 'There is a need to avoid judgements which do not take into account the complexity of various situations.' • How did your MP vote on assisted dying? Vane's move to publicly declare his decision to his congregation during a mass service is understood to have caused greater consternation among senior clerics. A source said that priests were expected to share the church's teaching and 'accompany individuals' while they are making important decisions, but that this should take place 'in a sheltered environment and not in the glare of public attention'. In the meantime, Coghlan said, his family had been 'devastated' by the episode. 'The priest gave my daughter her first communion, children from her class were in the congregation, so for him to come out and try and publicly humiliate me … it's difficult not to feel very angry. 'He didn't respect the fact that I'm simply trying to do my job as an MP. We get enough abuse as MPs — you don't expect it from your own priest.'

Maryland launches new biscuit treat for the first time in over a decade and shoppers will be buzzing
Maryland launches new biscuit treat for the first time in over a decade and shoppers will be buzzing

The Sun

time14 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Maryland launches new biscuit treat for the first time in over a decade and shoppers will be buzzing

ONE of the UK's biggest brands has launched its first new biscuit in over a decade. The sweet treat combines two incredible flavours and its makers have described it as a 'crunchy' and 'indulgent' snack. 2 2 Fox Burton's Companies has announced a huge change for its Maryland brand, with the launch of its brand new sandwich biscuit. The Maryland S'wich is the first major shakeup in the brand's iconic line up of treats. It's the UK's only chocolate chip cookie sandwich and combines several delicious flavours. The S'wich is a regular Maryland Chocolate Chip Cookie which is filled with a decadent, creamy chocolate filling. Landing in Tesco and Booker stores on July 16, the incredible snack will only set customers back £1.50. Ahead of the launch, David Hebson, Trade Marketing Director at FBC said: 'The sandwich biscuit space has long been without a cookie variant — until now. 'Maryland S'wich is an exciting new proposition that combines the trusted appeal of Maryland with the indulgent format of a crunchy, crumbly and creamy sandwich cookie. 'With strong consumer metrics behind the launch, we're confident S'wich will deliver real incremental value. 'It's a product that not only meets growing shopper demand for multisensorial textures and more indulgent biscuits but also unlocks new opportunities for retailers to drive basket spend and category growth. 'We're excited to partner with the trade on what is a game-changing addition to the Sweet Biscuit aisle.' Nostalgic candy with '50 cent taste' could be wiped from shelves for good after 120 years The news comes after Fox launched a creative take on one of their most beloved 1980s sweets. The company changed the design on their iconic Party Ring biscuits for the first time in 42 years. Normally featuring a shortcake biscuit topped with colourful icing, the new variety was branded as an 'Under the Sea' version. For the first time in the brand's history, the sweets were shaped in fish and star designs. Fans of the treat went wild for the change, with one writing: "We need these for any future birthday parties." Davina Valetti, marketing controller of Party Rings, said about the launch: "Under the Sea minis is an exciting milestone for the Party Rings brand. "It's not every day you change something that's been loved for over 40 years, but we think people are going to be pleased what we've done. "We're still bringing the party, just with a fun new twist."

Footage of alleged attack on officers at Manchester Airport shown to jury
Footage of alleged attack on officers at Manchester Airport shown to jury

The Independent

time22 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Footage of alleged attack on officers at Manchester Airport shown to jury

CCTV footage depicting the alleged assault of three police officers at Manchester Airport has been shown to jurors. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, are accused of attacking the officers after police responded to an incident at a Starbucks cafe where Amaaz allegedly headbutted a customer. The incident took place on 23 July last year, with the alleged assault occurring in the Terminal 2 car park after officers approached the brothers. Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations, and the trial at Liverpool Crown Court is continuing. Watch the video in full above.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store