Latest news with #subPostmasters
The Sun
08-07-2025
- The Sun
Tragedy of Post Office scandal laid bare as shock report finds 13 workers took own lives & 59 others considered suicide
THE full scale of the Post Office scandal has been revealed after a bombshell report found 13 workers tragically took their own lives. At least 59 other postmasters considered suicide after they were falsely accused of wrongdoing due to the faulty Horizon system. 4 4 Others suffered from alcoholism and mental health disorders, while some workers were subjected to divorce, bankruptcy and personal abuse. Around 1,000 people were wrongly prosecuted and convicted throughout the UK between 1999 and 2015 as a result of the faulty Fujitsu software. They were accused of false accounting, theft and fraud over the scandal, which had a "disastrous" impact on sub-postmasters. A long inquiry into the IT blunder found that postmasters and their families should be regarded as "victims of wholly unacceptable behaviour". Chairman Sir Wyn Williams concluded both the Post Office and Horizon developers Fujitsu knew the data could be false. Senior employees were also aware that the Horizon IT system could produce accounts "which were illusory rather than real" even before it was rolled out to branches. Sir Wyn said: "I am satisfied from the evidence that I have heard that a number of senior, and not so senior, employees of the Post Office knew or, at the very least, should have known that Legacy Horizon was capable of error. "Yet, for all practical purposes, throughout the lifetime of Legacy Horizon, the Post Office maintained the fiction that its data was always accurate." Sir Wyn said around 10,000 people are eligible to submit compensation claims following what has been dubbed as the worst miscarriage of justice in British legal history. Lead campaigner and former subpostmistress Jo Hamilton said the report "shows the full scale of the horror that they unleashed on us". Watch emotional moment Britain's Got Talent judges are wowed by choir formed by Post Office scandal survivors The scandal was propelled into the spotlight in January last year following ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office. The show centred around Sir Alan Bates - former sub-postmaster and founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance. Ex-Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells is accused of overseeing a huge number of wrongful prosecutions and convictions. Sir Wyn's 162-page report criticised the "unnecessarily adversarial attitude" of the Post Office and its advisers towards making compensation offers to victims. It also said the organisation and the Government "simply failed to grasp how difficult it would be to provide appropriate financial redress." Sir Wyn also singled out the behaviour of Post Office investigators, saying subpostmasters "will have been in wholly unfamiliar territory and they will have found the experience to be troubling at best and harrowing at worst". The publication of the first part of the report today focused solely on the devastating impact of the scandal on victims and the compensation offered to subpostmasters. A further report potentially attributing blame is expected at a later date. In a statement, the Post Office said: "The inquiry has brought to life the devastating stories of those impacted by the Horizon Scandal. "Their experiences represent a shameful period in our history. "Today, we apologise unreservedly for the suffering which Post Office caused to postmasters and their loved ones. "We will carefully consider the report and its recommendations." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. 4 4
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Post Office Horizon scandal: Why hundreds were wrongly prosecuted
The Post Office Horizon scandal has been called the UK's most widespread miscarriage of justice, after hundreds of people were prosecuted on the basis of data from faulty software. The scandal led to widespread public anger, partly as a result of a hit TV drama, and has been the subject of a lengthy inquiry. The first part of the report from the official inquiry into what happened is due to be published on Tuesday 8 July. More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted because of incorrect information from the Horizon computer system. Many sub-postmasters went to prison for false accounting and theft, and others were financially ruined. The Post Office itself took many cases to court, prosecuting 700 people between 1999 and 2015. Another 283 cases were brought by other bodies, including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In 2017, a group of 555 sub-postmasters - led by campaigner Alan Bates, who has since been knighted - took legal action in a landmark court case against the Post Office. In 2019, the Post Office agreed to pay the group £58m in compensation, but much of the money went on legal fees. However, the action paved the way for dozens of sub-postmasters to have their convictions quashed in 2021. The episode came to wider public attention last year after it was depicted in an ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office. The outcry triggered by the drama led to legislation being rushed through Parliament to bring in a law quashing convictions from the Horizon scandal. There are now a number of compensation schemes under way, and as of 2 June 2025, more than £1bn has been awarded to thousands of sub-postmasters across all schemes. Many former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses say the scandal ruined their lives. Some used their own money to cover non-existent shortfalls because their contracts said they were responsible for unexplained losses. Many faced bankruptcy or lost their livelihoods. Marriages broke down, and some families believe the stress led to serious health conditions, addiction and even premature death. 'I'm terrified' - Post Office victim still fears seeing old customers 'I thought mum left me, she'd been sent to prison' There isn't a single compensation scheme for sub-postmasters to apply to, and individual eligibility depends on the particular circumstances of each case. The four main schemes are aimed at groups of victims who had different experiences of the scandal. As of 2 June 2025, about £1.039bn has been awarded to just over 7,300 sub-postmasters across all four redress schemes. That total breaks down as: Horizon Shortfall Scheme - £559m Group Litigation Order Scheme - £167m Overturned Convictions Scheme - £68m Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme - £245m Prof Chris Hodges, chair of the the independent Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, told the BBC that some individual compensation claims were "well over £1m". How do the Post Office compensation schemes work? Horizon was developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu, for tasks such as accounting and stocktaking. It was introduced by the Post Office in 1999. Sub-postmasters quickly complained about bugs in the system after it falsely reported shortfalls, often for many thousands of pounds, but their concerns were dismissed. The Horizon system is still used by the Post Office and maintained by Fujitsu. The Post Office says it has continued to make improvements to the system while it plans "to move to a new system that is being developed". A public inquiry began in 2022 and heard evidence from Post Office and Fujitsu employees. Last year, Sir Alan Bates appeared at the inquiry, telling it that the Post Office had spent 23 years trying to "discredit and silence" him. Paula Vennells, who was Post Office chief executive between 2012 and 2019, gave evidence in May 2024. She was quizzed for three days and at times broke down in tears. She apologised to the sub-postmasters and their families "who have suffered as a result of all that the inquiry has been looking into for so long". The first part of the inquiry's report is due to be published on Tuesday. The inquiry became almost box office viewing - racking up more than 20 million views on YouTube. People with no connection to the Post Office told the BBC how they became engrossed watching. Who is Paula Vennells? Alan Bates says Post Office run by 'thugs in suits' Ms Vennells resigned from her role at the Post Office in 2019. In January 2024, she said she would hand back her CBE. In August 2023, the then-Post Office chief executive Nick Read said he would return bonus money awarded for his work on the Horizon inquiry. Fujitsu Europe director Paul Patterson said the firm had a "moral obligation" to help fund compensation payments. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has been criticised for delaying meeting Sir Alan when he was postal affairs minister in 2010. He says he was "deeply misled by Post Office executives". The BBC discovered that former Prime Minister David Cameron's government knew the Post Office had dropped a secret investigation that might have helped postmasters prove their innocence. What are the different Post Office compensation schemes? Post Office scandal victims claims not chased due to harassment fears
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Post Office Horizon scandal: Why hundreds were wrongly prosecuted
The Post Office Horizon scandal has been called the UK's most widespread miscarriage of justice, after hundreds of people were prosecuted on the basis of data from faulty scandal led to widespread public anger, partly as a result of a hit TV drama, and has been the subject of a lengthy first part of the inquiry's report is due to be published on Tuesday 8 July. What happened and how many people were affected? More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted because of incorrect information from the Horizon computer sub-postmasters went to prison for false accounting and theft, and others were financially Post Office itself took many cases to court, prosecuting 700 people between 1999 and 2015. Another 283 cases were brought by other bodies, including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).In 2017, a group of 555 sub-postmasters - led by campaigner Alan Bates, who has since been knighted - took legal action in a landmark court case against the Post Office. In 2019, the Post Office agreed to pay the group £58m in compensation, but much of the money went on legal episode came to wider public attention last year after it was depicted in an ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post outcry triggered by the drama led to legislation being rushed through Parliament to bring in a law quashing convictions from the Horizon are now a number of compensation schemes under way, and as of 2 June 2025, more than £1bn has been awarded to thousands of sub-postmasters across all schemes. What was the effect on Post Office staff? Many former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses say the scandal ruined their used their own money to cover non-existent shortfalls because their contracts said they were responsible for unexplained losses. Many faced bankruptcy or lost their broke down, and some families believe the stress led to serious health conditions, addiction and even premature death. 'I'm terrified' - Post Office victim still fears seeing old customers'I thought mum left me, she'd been sent to prison' What compensation schemes are in place? There isn't a single compensation scheme for sub-postmasters to apply to, and individual eligibility depends on the particular circumstances of each four main schemes are aimed at groups of victims who had different experiences of the scandal. As of 2 June 2025, about £1.039bn has been awarded to just over 7,300 sub-postmasters across all four redress schemes. That total breaks down as:Horizon Shortfall Scheme - £559mGroup Litigation Order Scheme - £167mOverturned Convictions Scheme -£68mHorizon Convictions Redress Scheme - £245mProf Chris Hodges, chair of the the independent Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, told the BBC that some individual compensation claims were "well over £1m".How do the Post Office compensation schemes work? What is Fujitsu's Horizon system? Horizon was developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu, for tasks such as accounting and was introduced by the Post Office in quickly complained about bugs in the system after it falsely reported shortfalls, often for many thousands of pounds, but their concerns were Horizon system is still used by the Post Office. It says it has continued to make improvements to the system while it plans "to move to a new system that is being developed". What is the Post Office Horizon public inquiry? A public inquiry began in 2022 and heard evidence from Post Office and Fujitsu year, Sir Alan Bates appeared at the inquiry, telling it that the Post Office had spent 23 years trying to "discredit and silence" Vennells, who was Post Office chief executive between 2012 and 2019, gave evidence in May 2024. She was quizzed for three days and at times broke down in tears. She apologised to the sub-postmasters and their families "who have suffered as a result of all that the inquiry has been looking into for so long".The first part of the inquiry's report is due to be published on inquiry became almost box office viewing - racking up more than 20 million views on with no connection to the Post Office told the BBC how they became engrossed is Paula Vennells?Alan Bates says Post Office run by 'thugs in suits' Who has been criticised for the Horizon scandal? Ms Vennells resigned from her role at the Post Office in 2019. In January 2024, she said she would hand back her August 2023, the then-Post Office chief executive Nick Read said he would return bonus money awarded for his work on the Horizon Europe director Paul Patterson said the firm had a "moral obligation" to help fund compensation Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has been criticised for refusing to meet Sir Alan when he was postal affairs minister, in May 2010. He says he was "deeply misled by Post Office executives".The BBC discovered that former Prime Minister David Cameron's government knew the Post Office had dropped a secret investigation that might have helped postmasters prove their innocence.
The Independent
27-06-2025
- The Independent
Police identify seven suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal inquiry
Police investigating the Post Office Horizon scandal have identified seven suspects, and more than 45 'people of interest'. Commander Stephen Clayman said police are 'making some real progress' but warned it would take time as they widen the investigation from people 'involved in the immediate decision-making'. Criminal trials stemming from the scandal might not get underway until 2028, he said. The investigation, known as Operation Olympos, is focusing on potential crimes of perjury and perverting the court of justice, linked to the wrongful prosecutions of sub-postmasters and the wider presentation of the Horizon IT system. More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts. Police have described the investigation as 'unprecedented in scope and size, with potentially more than 3,000 victims. The inquiry has gathered more than 1.5 million documents to be reviewed, and several forces across the UK are involved. No decision will be made over potential criminal charges until the public inquiry into the scandal has published its final report and investigators have 'thoroughly reviewed' its contents. Former sub-postmaster Tim Brentnall told the BBC that victims were 'desperate to see some kind of accountability', but backed the need for police to 'do it properly'. In March 2024, the government passed historic legislation to clear wrongfully convicted individuals. According to the latest official figures, just over £1bn has been paid out in compensation to more than 7,300 claimants up to 2 June. Hundreds of sub-postmasters are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government saying that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts. The scandal is one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British legal history. A Post Office spokesperson said: 'Post Office has co-operated fully and openly with the Metropolitan Police since early 2020 to provide whatever information it needs for its investigations.'
Telegraph
27-06-2025
- Telegraph
Post Office scandal culprits ‘may not face justice before 2028'
Those responsible for the Post Office Horizon scandal may not face justice until 2028, the police officer leading the investigation has warned. Commander Stephen Clayman said it will take longer for criminal trials to begin as police widen the investigation beyond people 'involved in the immediate decision-making'. More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from Post Office accounts. Hundreds of wrongly convicted sub-postmasters are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government saying that those who have had their convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts. The scandal marked one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British legal history. It is understood that dozens of people have been classed as persons of interest in the investigation, with seven suspects identified. However, Mr Clayman told the BBC: 'The teams need to be really meticulous and pay attention to detail. 'We are beginning to scope, looking at wider management. That will happen and is happening – it will just take time to get there.' Victims 'desperate for accountability' The investigation, known as Operation Olympos, has focused on perjury and perverting the court of justice during the wrongful prosecutions of sub-postmasters and the wider presentation of the Horizon IT system. Police have described the inquiry as 'unprecedented' in size, with more than 3,000 potential victims and 1.5 million documents to be reviewed as evidence. No decision about potential criminal charges will be made until the scandal's public inquiry has published its final report and investigators have 'thoroughly reviewed' its contents. Tim Brentnall, a former sub-postmaster, said victims were 'desperate to see some kind of accountability', but supported the need for police to 'do it properly'. A spokesman for the Post Office said: 'Post Office has co-operated fully and openly with the Metropolitan Police since early 2020 to provide whatever information it needs for its investigations.'
