BBC investigation reveals concealed knowledge of flaws in Horizon IT system

Former sub-postmasters and politicians are urging for a police inquiry into the Post Office after revelations by BBC News exposed that the company was aware of flaws in its Horizon IT system. A document disclosed that despite knowing about the issues in 2017, Post Office management and lawyers continued to blame sub-postmasters.

Kevan Jones MP, who advises ministers on Post Office compensation, emphasized the necessity for a police investigation, stating that the actions of the Post Office in the court case against sub-postmasters were an abuse of public funds.

More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 due to supposed losses flagged by the faulty Horizon IT system. Despite the Post Office’s knowledge of potential flaws in the system in 2017, it persisted in defending the case with significant public funds.

Questions have been raised about the role of Post Office lawyers in handling the case, with concerns that they may have misled the court. Tory peer Lord Arbuthnot described the handling of the court case as a perversion of justice, suggesting that those involved deserve jail time.

Former sub-postmasters who were part of the landmark case expressed their desire for a police investigation into the matter, highlighting the need for accountability and justice for those impacted by the Horizon IT scandal.

The Post Office expressed regret for the impact of the scandal on individuals’ lives and stated its commitment to providing compensation to victims. It reiterated its support for the ongoing public inquiry, chaired by a judge, as the appropriate forum to address accountability and examine the issues raised by the BBC investigation