The justice secretary has proposed that Fujitsu should reimburse the funds used for the Post Office scandal if it is determined to be at fault, as more scrutiny is placed on the company responsible for the defective Horizon software.
Alex Chalk stated that if the ongoing investigation into the saga, which is set to continue on Thursday, reveals a level of incompetence that is as expected, government officials would seek appropriate compensation for taxpayers.
Many Post Office branch managers were found guilty of cheating funds due to proof from the technology company’s faulty Horizon accounting system.
On Wednesday, Rishi Sunak declared that a blanket law would be implemented in the coming weeks to clear the names of numerous post office operators in England and Wales. This could result in hundreds of individuals being exonerated by the end of the year.
Individuals whose convictions are overturned may receive a compensation payment of £600,000, or potentially more if their claim is individually evaluated.
Although the suggestions were generally well-received, there is growing pressure on the prime minister to take more drastic action and prohibit Fujitsu from obtaining government contracts and seek compensation from the company.
Chalk announced that the government will defer to the findings of the investigation led by retired judge Sir Wyn Williams before making any decisions on how to handle the company.
“Simply put, if the level of ineptitude is as severe as we anticipate, then my priority would be to ensure fair compensation for the taxpayer,” stated the government official in an interview with ITV’s Peston.
“It is imperative that justice is served for both the sub-postmasters, as discussed today, and for the taxpayers. The financial implications of this situation are significant.”
According to Chalk, if Fujitsu is determined to be responsible, they should be held accountable, potentially leading to legal action from government officials.
The company has received lucrative government contracts in the past few years and its ongoing participation in significant IT projects has caused alarm in Westminster.
On Wednesday, a Conservative member of the House of Lords disclosed that attempts were made by ministers to hinder Fujitsu from receiving additional official tasks due to their “abysmal” performance, but these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
The former Cabinet Office minister, Lord Maude of Horsham, stated that procurement regulations hindered the efforts of government officials. He also urged Fujitsu to act with integrity and make a substantial payment towards compensating post office operators who were wrongly accused.
The ongoing fight for fairness drastically gained momentum following the airing of the ITV drama “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office” this month, which brought attention to the scandal.
The upcoming public hearing on Thursday will include testimony from Post Office investigator Stephen Bradshaw and is expected to maintain public attention on the scandal.
Bradshaw’s involvement in the criminal investigation of nine post office operators has been described as leaving a “significant impact.”
On Wednesday, members of parliament were informed that the inquiry’s previous findings suggested that the Post Office not only acted incompetently, but also maliciously towards them.
Former post office operator Alan Bates, who was featured in the ITV series, expressed support for the decision to clear the names of Post Office employees. He stated that it was long overdue.
When asked if he would be commemorating the win, the 69-year-old responded to the Times with disbelief, stating that he and others have not yet received their full compensation.
According to Bates, the reversal of convictions is positive, but the main focus is on providing full financial compensation to all those affected. The option of receiving £75,000 instead of undergoing an independent assessment may suffice for smaller cases, but for many others it is insufficient.
The magnitude of the controversy has led the government to take the unorthodox step of enacting fresh laws.
The ministers recognized that the plan may lead to the incorrect clearing of certain post office operators who were guilty of crimes. However, they stated that this process is the most efficient way to address the majority who were wrongly accused and suffered a miscarriage of justice.
Chalk has been in talks with senior judges regarding the potential issue of parliament being perceived as interfering with the legal system due to constitutional concerns.
Sunak declared a £75,000 deal for post office operators who are part of a collective lawsuit against the company. The government has allocated up to £1bn for compensation.
In 1999, the Horizon software was implemented in Post Office branches throughout the UK. In the following years, several employees were charged for mishandling funds.
The high court declared in 2019 that Horizon had several “flaws, mistakes, and imperfections” and there was a significant possibility that discrepancies in Post Office branch accounts were a result of the system.
Source: theguardian.com
