Darren Jones welcomes move to put post office inquiry on statutory basis
19 May 2021
Darren Jones, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has commented on the statement in the House of Commons from Paul Scully, Department for BEIS Minister, announcing that the independent inquiry into the Post Office’s Horizon IT scandal is to be put on a statutory footing.
Chair's comments
Darren Jones, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee said:
"It's important this review is able to deliver justice for those who have waited for so long.
"It is a victory for campaigners that the Minister has finally moved to put this review on a statutory basis so it can summon witnesses and compel the disclosure of documentary evidence.
"It's important that this inquiry is able to get to the truth. The review's remit has been extended but crucial issues around compensation and accountability still need to be addressed.
"Ministers should give Sir Wyn Williams the powers to decide on the inquiry's terms of reference.
"The Post Office-Horizon scandal has seen sub-postmasters and postal workers suffer grievously and be victim of an appalling miscarriage of justice.
"It's vital those affected receive proper compensation, that those who were responsible are held accountable, and, finally, that lessons are learned to ensure that something like this can never happen again."
Background to the inquiry
In 2020, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee launched an inquiry into issues emerging from the Horizon IT Court cases.
The BEIS Committee intends to return to the issues raised, including the role of the Post Office, the behaviour of Fujitsu, and the Government's oversight of the Post Office, once the Independent Review into the Post Office Ltd has been completed.
Further information
Image: Parliamentary copyright