The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the Post Office regarding “potential fraud offences” related to the wrongful prosecution of sub-postmasters in the Horizon IT scandal. This development was confirmed on Friday, as authorities delve into the handling of monies recovered from sub-postmasters as a result of prosecutions or civil actions.
The investigation, initiated in January 2020, is also exploring “potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice” in connection with the scandal. The Horizon IT system led to the Post Office pursuing over 700 prosecutions, resulting in criminal convictions and, in some cases, imprisonment for former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses.
Many impacted individuals were allegedly coerced into pleading guilty to crimes or faced the threat of incarceration. Lawyers representing those affected claim that the pressure led to the loss of jobs, homes, and life savings for many sub-postmasters. Some were compelled to repay the Post Office for money it claimed had gone missing.
The controversy surrounding the scandal has gained widespread attention, with over half a million people signing an online petition urging the removal of the former Post Office boss’s CBE. Paula Vennells, who held the position, later expressed being “truly sorry” for the “suffering” caused to sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted as a result of the Horizon IT scandal.
