Compensation delays, remote access confirmed, and calls for honours – the explosive commons committee session

In a riveting Commons Business and Trade Committee session, top executives from the Post Office and Fujitsu faced intense scrutiny from MPs, shedding light on the enduring aftermath of the Horizon scandal that wrongly convicted postmasters. The revelations from the hearing exposed a staggering web of issues plaguing the compensation process and the flawed IT system.

Fujitsu Director Paul Patterson expressed sincere remorse for the company’s role in the Post Office scandal, acknowledging a “moral obligation” to contribute to compensation. Patterson admitted to bugs and errors in the Horizon programme, highlighting Fujitsu’s involvement in providing evidence that led to wrongful accusations against postmasters.

Post Office boss Nick Read attributed the slow compensation progress to a “culture of denial” within the organization. Victims’ advocate Alan Bates, addressing the committee, painted a grim picture, stating that people were “suffering” and even “dying” while awaiting payouts. Former postmistress Jo Hamilton added that seeking compensation felt like being treated “like you’re a criminal all over again.”

A crucial revelation came as Paul Patterson confirmed that the Horizon IT system did allow remote access, contradicting Post Office denials. Patterson clarified that Fujitsu had informed the Post Office of this capability, leading to a heated exchange during the committee session.

With the government allocating over £1 billion for compensation, Tory Minister Kevin Hollinrake hinted that the final bill could surpass this staggering amount. Patterson disclosed ongoing discussions with Fujitsu bosses in Japan, indicating a potential contribution to compensation, further complicating the financial landscape.

Minister Kevin Hollinrake expressed the government’s ambition to complete compensation payouts by August. However, he acknowledged that “no amount of compensation can ever make good what’s happened in the past,” emphasizing the severity of the miscarriage of justice.

Amidst the turmoil, a petition emerged, demanding an honour for Post Office hero Alan Bates, who led the fight against the Horizon IT scandal. Lord James Arbuthnot urged swift legislative action to overturn convictions, preventing more victims from “going to their graves with convictions.”

Solicitor Neil Hudgell warned of potentially hundreds more victims, emphasizing the broader impact on families and loved ones. He urged a comprehensive examination of the scandal, suggesting that the true scale could extend to tens of thousands affected.

In a shocking turn of events, the Commons Committee session provided a stark glimpse into the deep-rooted issues surrounding the Post Office scandal, demanding urgent action and accountability to rectify the widest miscarriage of justice in British history.