The first part of a report into the Horizon IT scandal, which has grabbed headlines in recent years and continues to affect the lives of hundreds of sub-postmasters across the UK, has been released this afternoon (8 July).
This first, newly released section of the official report looks at the human cost of the scandal, as well as the issues surrounding the lengthy compensation process for many victims of the injustice.
As such, at this stage, no mention of blame for the errors that caused such distress for many, and an astonishing thirteen of the wrongfully accused to take their own lives, have been covered yet.
The 162-page document addresses the 15 year-period during which more than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted in one of the biggest miscarriages of justices in UK history.
It was later discovered that an IT system had glitches within it, which led to errors in accounts being reported or filed, and that the Post Office and the Government’s knowledge of the extent of this was covered up and repeatedly denied.
In the new first part of the report, both the Post Office and Fujitsu - who supplied the software - are described as havng known “or at the very least should have known,” that the system used in branches had faults.
Delays and complaints about long waits for compensation are also covered, as well as instances of those who still have not received any compensation at all.
The affected sub-postmasters are also described as “victims of wholly unacceptable behaviour” by the two companies. The report goes on to highlight the negative affects on the lives of family members and the ongoing impact the wrongful accusations had, saying this should not be downplayed. It also notes that there is no real way of knowing exactly how many people were affected outside of the accused sub-postmasters themselves.
Shockingly, the inquiry’s chair, Sir Wyn Williams (left), says he “received evidence from at least 59 persons who contemplated suicide at various points in time and attributed this to their experiences with Horizon and/or the Post Office.”
In a statement, he outlined 19 urgent recommendations to resolve issues that are hindering full and fair redress, including:
- The Government and the Post Office should agree on a definition of ‘full and fair’ compensation, and this should be followed when deciding the level of compensation to offer.
- Horizon Shortfall Scheme claimants should receive legal advice, funded by the Government.
- Close family members of people affected by the Horizon scandal should receive compensation.
- The Government should create a standing public body which will create, administer, and deliver schemes for giving financial redress to people who have been wronged by public bodies.
- Fujitsu, Post Office and the Government should publish a report by 31 October 2025, outlining a programme for restorative justice (or the actions they’ve taken so far to produce this programme).
He added that the Government, and where appropriate Post Office and Fujitsu, are expected to provide a written response to his recommendations by 10 October 2025.
Convenience Store will bring you more details and responses throughout the week.
To read the full report, click here.
UPDATE: Responding to the report this afternoon, the Post Office issued an official apology.
Chair Nigel Railton (left), said: “I would like to make a clear and unequivocal apology to every single person affected by this scandal on behalf of Post Office.
“The Horizon Scandal is not one event. Lots of people made choices over two decades which caused serious harm to so many people. Post Office did not listen to postmasters and, as an organisation, we let them down. Postmasters and their families have suffered years of pain. It has taken them too long to clear their names and, in many cases, to receive redress.
“I welcome Sir Wyn Williams’ report, and I’m grateful to those postmasters who gave evidence to the Inquiry. It is through their personal stories that we understand the human impact of this scandal.
“I will do everything in my power to make sure that affected postmasters receive the redress they are entitled to.”
“I will do everything in my power to make sure that affected postmasters receive the redress they are entitled to, as soon as possible. The Post Office will carefully review the report and provide a full response to the Inquiry by 10 October, as requested by Sir Wyn.”
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