The Horizon scandal summary
- More than 900 workers were prosecuted after faulty software (Horizon accounting software) made it appear that money was missing from post office accounts
- Between 1999-2015, the Post office prosecuted 700 sub-postmasters/mistresses based on information from a computer system called Horizon
- 238 cases were brought to the CPS
- This ruined lives as some were sent to prison for theft whilst others livelihoods were turned upside down after being left in financial ruin
Campaign against the Post office
- After 20 years, campaigners won a legal battle to have their cases/convictions reconsidered but only 93 were overturned
- The UK government launched a public inquiry in February 2021. but many victims are still fighting to overturn convictions
What was the faulty system ?
- Introduced by the Post Office in 1999, it was an accounting and stocktaking software
- Postmasters raised the alarm about bugs in the system following shortfalls whilst others attempted to pay off the shortfalls themselves as that is what they are contractually obliged to do
- The system continues to be used today and is said to be robust
Why has it only become more prominent now ?
- Previously the issue was not taken as seriously as it should have been with 2010 Post Office Minister (Ed Davey) facing criticism
- In May 2010, he refused to meet Alan Bates, the sub-postmaster who led the campaign to expose the scandal, saying he did not believe it “would serve any purpose”. The pair later met in October 2010.
- The ITV Mr Bates vs The Post Office drama released in January 2024 brought the issue to a renewed prominence
Government response
- Victims will be able to sign a form to say they are innocent, in order to have their convictions overturned and claim compensation
- The government is considering whether to include the small number of cases that have already been considered by the Court of Appeal.
- 555 former postmasters who brought a group lawsuit will be offered an upfront payment of ÂŁ75,000
The three main parties Conservative, Labour and the Liberal Democrats are all facing criticism for presiding over this issue through the last two decades. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the election race, especially for the Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.