An ex-postal service employee who spearheaded a movement to combat unjust convictions imposed by the Post Office is urging for prompt compensation for the affected individuals after the airing of an ITV show about the controversy.
On Friday, the Metropolitan police announced that the Post Office is being criminally investigated for possible fraud related to the Horizon scandal.
Fifty additional individuals potentially affected by the Post Office scandal have sought legal representation since the airing of the ITV show “Mr Bates vs the Post Office.” This includes five people who intend to challenge their convictions.
According to lawyer Neil Hudgell, the number of former operators he has assisted with convictions related to the scandal has increased continuously and currently stands at 73.
He stated that over 60 individuals have stepped forward. He also mentioned a notable rise in the number of children coming forward on behalf of their deceased parents.
By Saturday evening, a request to revoke Paula Vennells’ CBE had exceeded its initial goal of 800,000 signatures and had been raised to a new target of 900,000. Vennells was the CEO for a significant portion of the time when postmasters were unfairly persecuted.
On Saturday, Alan Bates stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the four-part drama had raised awareness about the issue and he is hopeful that this will expedite the compensation process for victims.
“He stated that it has greatly impacted the campaign. It has reignited the entire issue and we hope to reach a resolution for the remaining unresolved matters.”
The program exposes a miscarriage of justice involving over 700 branch managers of the post office who were unfairly convicted of crimes such as theft, false accounting, and fraud due to errors in the Horizon accounting software, which falsely showed discrepancies in their finances.
It has been deemed the most extensive case of wrongful conviction in British history and is currently being investigated through a public inquiry.
When questioned about why individuals may not have reported the situation prior to the controversy, Bates stated that it’s possible they were unaware of the events during the duration of the campaign.
However, I believe that the number of victims who have come forward and been identified may provide support for others to also share their experiences. This could potentially increase their confidence to speak out.
Hudgell expressed gratitude for the opportunity to care for numerous individuals who are hard-working and honorable, as they are the foundation of this nation. This is the reason we are lawyers, to make a positive impact. However, they are the real heroes in all of this.
According to their agreements, individuals like Bates, who managed a post office in Llandudno, a coastal town in north Wales, were responsible for any monetary damages. The Post Office required them to reimburse the funds or potentially face closure, legal action, or a lawsuit.
Numerous individuals faced imprisonment or financial ruin, with many losing their homes. Tragically, at least four people took their own lives. Bates alleged that at least 60 individuals had passed away while awaiting compensation.
Lee Castleton, a former operator of a post office in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, stated that his family’s lives were greatly affected by the situation. The Post Office demanded £25,000 repayment due to discrepancies caused by the defective Horizon software. Castleton’s unsuccessful attempt to dispute the debt resulted in bankruptcy and £300,000 in expenses.
During an interview with Times Radio, he shared that they faced social exclusion in Bridlington and were subjected to harassment on the streets. Their daughter also experienced bullying, being spat on by a classmate who falsely believed her father to be a thief and taking advantage of the elderly.
Hudgell, the executive chair of Hudgell Solicitors, told the PA Media news agency his clients welcomed the news of the Met investigation. “The drama has elevated public awareness to a whole new level. The British public and their overwhelming sympathy for the plight of these poor people has given some the strength to finally come forward.
“The numbers continue to rise daily, but there are even more out there. We had a total of 50 yesterday and are expecting around 20 more today.”
According to Bates, it has been a great tool for spreading the message.
“The current delay seems to be caused by the compensation process, or the financial reimbursement. The priority should be to expedite the bureaucracy, as it is causing a delay in payments for these individuals. It is imperative that officials take swift action to resolve this issue.”
The government is committed to expediting compensation for operators who are still awaiting it, according to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
The speaker expressed a desire to expedite the process, stating, “We aim to do this quickly.” They acknowledged the message and promised to explore all options to accelerate the payment of compensation.
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The report was aided by PA Media.
Source: theguardian.com
