Hundreds of postmasters face a lengthy battle for compensation – despite landmark legislation that will clear their names.
In a move which cheered campaigners, Rishi Sunak yesterday said emergency legislation would be used to overturn convictions against more than 900 postmasters who were wrongly accused of stealing from the Post Office.
The unprecedented step came amid growing public anger at the plight of branch managers who were convicted after faulty Fujitsu accounting software Horizon made it look like money was missing from their shops.
But some postmasters said their battle will go on after the Government made an initial offer of just £75,000 compensation to those who were hounded by the Post Office – and had to pay back cash – but who were never convicted of any offence.
Mr Sunak described the Post Office scandal as ‘one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history’, adding: ‘We will make sure that the truth comes to light, we right the wrongs of the past and the victims get the justice they deserve.’
Rishi Sunak yesterday said emergency legislation would be used to overturn convictions against more than 900 postmasters who were wrongly accused of stealing from the Post Office
But some postmasters said their battle will go on after the Government made an initial offer of just £75,000 compensation to those who were hounded by the Post Office – and had to pay back cash – but who were never convicted of any offence
Only 93 postmasters have been able to clear their names in the courts, leaving hundreds unable to claim compensation. Former postmaster Alan Bates, whose fight for justice inspired the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, described the decision as ‘a leap forward’, but added: ‘It ain’t over yet.’
He said campaigners needed to see the ‘devil in the detail’, and warned that those with larger claims – above the £75,000 offer announced by the Government – were the ones who needed to have their cases resolved.
‘Don’t forget they lost their houses, their businesses, their earning capacity for many, many years as well – a number of them cashed in pensions and all sorts,’ he said. ‘It’s frustrating, it really is frustrating, but I am pleased it’s all now starting to be resolved.’
It came as:
- The postmasters set to be exonerated are expected to receive payouts from a compensation pot of at least £450 million;
- Sir Keir Starmer was forced to deny involvement in the prosecution of three postmasters taken to court by the Crown Prosecution Service during his time in charge;
- Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey faced renewed calls to resign for failing to tackle the scandal during his time as Post Office minister;
- Ministers suggested former Post Office chief Paula Vennells could face action to claw back up to £3 million in bonuses and pension if a public inquiry into the scandal found her guilty of wrongdoing.
The scale of the scandal has prompted the Government to adopt the unconventional approach of new legislation, rather than requiring individuals to challenge their convictions one by one.
Former postmaster Alan Bates, whose fight for justice inspired the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, described the decision as ‘a leap forward’, but added: ‘It ain’t over yet’
Toby Jones pictured as Alan Bates in the Mr Bates vs the Post Office TV Show
Downing Street acknowledged the plan could result in a ‘tiny minority’ of postmasters who did commit crimes being wrongly cleared, but insisted the process was the most effective way of dealing with the vast majority who were victims of a miscarriage of justice.
As a safeguard, those involved will sign a statement saying they did not commit the crime of which they were accused, with anyone subsequently found to have signed that untruthfully putting themselves at risk of prosecution for fraud.
Those whose convictions are quashed by the new law are eligible for a £600,000 compensation payment, or potentially more if they go through a process of having their claim individually assessed.
Mr Sunak also announced a £75,000 offer for postmasters involved in a group legal action against the Post Office. They were never convicted but suffered substantial losses as they were hounded to pay back money that was never missing.
Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake said the £75,000 would offer immediate help to a third of postmasters who had smaller claims, but he acknowledged it would not be enough for many.
Some postmasters warned that the offer did not come close to covering their losses.
Jo Hamilton was wrongly accused of stealing £36,000 in 2008. She said the £75,000 offer showed that Mr Sunak was ‘completely out of touch’.
Mark Kelly lost his £200,000 home and was left with PTSD after being accused of theft. He called the £75,000 an ‘insult’, adding: ‘Most of the simple cases that were worth less than £75,000 have been settled, so this new scheme helps no one. The complex cases that are worth much, much more are tied up in litigation hell. Those are the most important cases, despite what the minister might think.’
Lord Macdonald, who was head of the Crown Persecution Service from 2003-08, said it was ‘unprecedented’ for the Government to overturn convictions handed down by the courts.
He acknowledged the change was being made for ‘the best of reasons’ but warned of serious rule of law implications’.