9 hours ago
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.'
