The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into potential fraud offences connected to the Horizon IT scandal that plagued the Post Office for over 15 years. This development comes as part of the ongoing inquiry into one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in UK history.
During the Horizon IT scandal, more than 700 branch managers faced convictions for false accounting, theft, and fraud, primarily due to flawed software information. Investigations are now underway to determine if any fraud offences were committed concerning “monies recovered from sub-postmasters as a result of prosecutions or civil actions,” according to the Met Police.
Previously, the Met Police had been examining potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice related to Post Office investigations and prosecutions. While two individuals have been interviewed under caution since the investigation’s commencement in January 2020, no arrests have been made.
The ITV drama series titled “Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office: The Real Story” recently brought fresh attention to the scandal, with 50 new potential victims coming forward. This surge in cases emphasizes the impact of media exposure on raising awareness of the issue.
The Post Office has encouraged those who believe they were wrongly convicted to consider appealing their cases but refrained from commenting on the ongoing police investigation.
Between 1999 and 2015, more than 700 sub-postmasters were prosecuted and convicted based on inaccurate data from the Horizon accounting system, resulting in wrongful imprisonments and financial ruin for many. To date, 93 convictions have been overturned, with only 27 individuals receiving full settlements. A public inquiry into the scandal is currently ongoing.
The four-part drama series on ITV, starring Toby Jones as sub-postmaster Alan Bates, has played a pivotal role in shedding light on the victims’ plight and has inspired new claimants to come forward. Neil Hudgell, executive chairman of Hudgells, a law firm representing some of the claimants, noted that the show’s portrayal of the sub-postmasters suffering and persecution had prompted people to share their stories and seek justice.
Alan Bates, whose legal battle was featured in the TV series, believes that the drama has reignited the issue and led to an increased number of victims seeking redress. He stressed the urgency of expediting compensation payments, as many claimants have passed away before receiving justice.
Actor Toby Jones, who portrayed Alan Bates in the series, expressed his astonishment at the straightforwardness of the scandal, emphasizing how a computer system error had led to countless people suffering, including false prosecutions for fraud.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Suzanne Sercombe, Alan Bates’s partner in the drama, expressed her overwhelming emotions regarding the show’s reception and the public’s strong reaction against the scandal and its cover-up. She called for justice for all those affected.
Multiple compensation schemes have been established to assist those affected by the Post Office scandal. However, concerns have been raised about delays in compensation payments. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to provide support to all those affected and expedite the resolution of their cases.
A board overseeing compensation for those wrongly accused of theft and false accounting has recently called for the overturning of their convictions, a move supported by the Post Office, which aims to cooperate fully with the ongoing public inquiry.
