Committees

Post Office Horizon scandal: fast and fair redress

Non-inquiry session

We are running a short inquiry on financial redress in the Post Office Horizon scandal, focused on “fast and fair redress” for victims of what has been described as the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK history.  

In a scandal reaching back over two decades, postmasters who run individual post office branches experienced difficulties with the Horizon Post Office computer system. Errors in the system showed false shortfalls in postmasters’ accounts, which the Post Office then demanded they cover. The Post Office used information from the Horizon system, provided by Fujitsu, to investigate and take action against postmasters and employees. This resulted in suspensions, prosecutions and bankruptcies, leading to health problems, family breakdown and even suicide among the people affected.  

The situation has been compounded by the ensuing lengthy campaign for justice involving multiple court cases, overturned convictions, the development of several financial redress schemes and an ongoing public inquiry. The ITV drama “Mr Bates vs The Post Office” screened in January 2024 drew widespread public attention to the scandal. 

Upcoming events

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Past events

Tuesday 19 November 2024
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Post Office Horizon scandal: fast and fair redress - Oral evidence 19 November 2024
2:30pm
  • Gareth Thomas MP (Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports at Department for Business and Trade)
  • Carl Creswell (Director, Post Office and Business Engagement at Department for Business and Trade)
  • Heidi Alexander (Minister of State at Ministry of Justice)
  • Ed Lidington (Director, Courts, Criminal and Family Justice Directorate at Ministry of Justice)
3:30pm
  • Mark Chesher (Partner at Addleshaw Goddard)
  • Rob Francis (Partner at Dentons)
  • Alan Watts (Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills)
4:30pm
  • Nigel Railton (Interim Chair at Post Office)
  • Simon Recaldin (Remediations Unit Director at Post Office)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 5 November 2024
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Post Office Horizon scandal: fast and fair redress - Oral evidence 5 November 2024
2:30pm
  • Sir Alan Bates (Founder at Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance)
  • Jill Donnison
  • Dewi Lewis
3:30pm
  • Dr Neil Hudgell (Executive Chair at Hudgell Solicitors)
  • James Hartley (Partner at Freeths)
  • David Enright (Partner at Howe & Co)
4:30pm
  • The Rt. Hon. Sir Gary Hickinbottom PC (Chair at Post Office Overturned Convictions Independent Pecuniary Assessment Panel)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

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