Rishi Sunak has made a groundbreaking move, unveiling new laws to clear the names and award £75,000 in reparations to each sub-postmaster wrongly implicated in the Horizon scandal. Over 700 sub-postmasters faced criminal charges, like theft and false accounting, due to flawed IT systems at the Post Office, which inaccurately depicted money disappearing.

Despite only 93 individuals having their names vindicated so far, Prime Minister Sunak emphasised the severity of this injustice in Parliament. He denounced it as one of the gravest miscarriages of justice in the nation’s history, stressing that hardworking individuals who served their communities had their lives and reputations shattered unjustly.

Sunak assured MPs that Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake would soon provide further specifics in the House regarding this matter. He pledged to unearth the truth, rectify past wrongs, and ensure justice for the victims.

The Horizon scandal gained prominence through ITV’s series, “Mr. Bates Vs The Post Office.” Former Post Office chief Paula Vennells faced immense pressure to return her £3 million in bonuses and pension following the public uproar. Over a million people signed a petition urging the revocation of her honours due to wrongful convictions occurring under her leadership. Ex-postmasters shared harrowing experiences, describing how the ordeal mentally devastated them.

Parmod Kalia, for instance, surrendered £22,000 of his personal funds to the Post Office after the faulty Horizon software indicated discrepancies in his accounts. Despite this, he was sentenced to six months in prison in 2001, leading to the breakdown of his family relationships and isolation from his community.

Speaking to ITV, Kalia expressed the immense toll the ordeal took on his mental well-being, revealing the trauma of losing 21 years of his life, his financial stability, familial bonds, and facing the stigma of shame in his community. He disclosed having attempted suicide thrice.

Responding to Sunak’s remarks during Prime Minister’s Questions, Chris applauded the swift action to overturn convictions, expressing hope that innocent individuals could finally erase this stain on their reputation and receive adequate compensation. However, Chris highlighted the necessity for complete and just compensation, not interim amounts, urging a commitment to resolving claims without prolonged legal battles for full financial restitution.

The issue remains ongoing, with concerns regarding the definitive assurance of full compensation for those affected. Chris emphasised the imperative of ensuring the fulfilment of promises made in this regard.