The UK Government has announced a significant step in addressing the wrongful convictions of Postmasters whose cases relied on Horizon evidence. Each Postmaster who has had their conviction overturned will now be offered an optional compensation sum of up to £600,000, marking a crucial development in resolving the long-standing scandal.
This announcement follows the overturning of 86 convictions and the payment of £21 million in compensation to affected Postmasters. The government is committed to providing relief and closure to those who have suffered as a result of these wrongful convictions.
The Horizon accounting software, introduced by the Post Office in the late 1990s, encountered technical faults that led to financial discrepancies in branch accounts. Sub-postmasters were held responsible for these shortfalls, leading to a series of wrongful prosecutions between 1999 and 2015, including charges of false accounting and theft.
Postmasters who were wrongfully convicted faced severe hardships, including tarnished criminal records, loss of freedom, and significant financial losses. The government’s announcement is aimed at bringing an end to their suffering and providing some measure of compensation.
Under this scheme, Postmasters who have previously received initial compensation payments or reached settlements with the Post Office for amounts less than £600,000 will be entitled to receive the difference. All reasonable legal fees will continue to be covered, ensuring that Postmasters can access the necessary support during this process.
Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake emphasised the government’s commitment to resolving the scandal and preventing such injustices from occurring in the future. He stated, “This is about righting a wrong and providing some form of relief to those wrongfully caught up in this scandal. Too many Postmasters have suffered and for too long, which is why the Government remains committed to seeing this through to the end until it is resolved and ensuring this cannot ever happen again.”
The UK Government has also established the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, equipped with statutory powers to investigate the issues surrounding Horizon and make recommendations for the future. This inquiry is currently progressing, with full cooperation from the government to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the situation and lessons learned.
The compensation scheme, the Overturned Convictions process, Horizon Shortfall Scheme, and Group Litigation Order have collectively paid out over £120 million to approximately 2,600 individuals affected by the Horizon scandal. The latest announcement aims to expedite the compensation process and extend the offer to Postmasters who may overturn their convictions in the future based on Horizon evidence, ensuring that justice is served.
