Police officers investigating the Post Office Horizon scandal are now seeking advice for corporate manslaughter charges, confirmed the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
In a statement to Convenience Store, the NPCC said: “The primary and sole focus remains the offences of perverting the course of justice and perjury and this has not changed.
“However, as was done with fraud offences previously, advice is being sought from the CPS around the offences of corporate and cross negligent manslaughter.”
A recent police update, shared with sub-postmasters, said the total persons of interest in the investigation had reached 53, most of whom were likely to be raised to suspect status at a later stage in the inquiry, reported the BBC.
The investigation was currently focused on eight suspects, with five interviews already conducted under caution, reported the BBC.
The first report from the public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal found that more than 13 people may have taken their own lives as a result of the faulty Horizon IT system, which led to over 900 sub-postmasters being wrongly accused of financial shortfalls.
At least 59 people had contemplated suicide at various points, of whom 10 attempted to take their own lives, the report said.
In October, the government issued its recommendations for the inquiry, but it has yet to release its full response. Recommendations included funding of legal advice for postmasters, improved redress for close family members and a restorative justice programme.
Reforms include the establishment of new appeals for people who have accepted Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) fixed sum offers, with funded legal advice for this, said the government.
The Post Office said it would work to close the HSS by 31 January 2026, to give postmasters who have not yet applied “more time” to put in applications.
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