Ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells cries while giving evidence

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells cried three times while giving evidence to the inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.
Sky's Sarah-Jane Mee is with sub-postmasters in Fenny Compton, Warwickshire - where the push for justice began in 2009.
She looks back at the morning's events.
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[@32446]

She wasn’t crying when pocketing her wage and bonuses.

[@georgeknox1822]

Did she worry about all the tears when innocents were imprisoned ????

[@xyx2977]

Your question should have been... Did she cry? No. Now she does but my guess is she feels sorry for herself - not anyone else - alive or dead. Evil.

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

Of course not. They were, after all, only little people. But she clearly thought it soooo unfair when someone of her importance was challenged. Hence the large box of tissues.

[@Morgan-yl3ou]

Did she worry when she knelt on her knees ( begging ) and was given an obe or whatever for wonderful work she did as postal leader...? Funny how tightly she is holding onto that award ....lol...

[@atlasgabriel5461]

She belongs in prison, I don’t have any sympathy for her.

[@TomNook.]

None of this means anything. Those who ruined postmasters lives need to be jailed, their pensions and assets confiscated to pay for compensation

[@chrisbevis7725]

Exactly - nobody involved should EVER get another penny from the public purse. Also where did all the money they stole from the SPM's go? They knew that they had extra money which they put in a slush fund but who spent it and on what? If it were down to me they would all go to prison where they would have to relinquish any pension and sell their assets to pay for their incarceration. Why should we pay a penny more for any of this vile creatures.

[@insideoutgmltd]

She only cries because she's been outted. Credibility in tatters , character under scrutiny.

[@tomhenry897]

But rich

[@Leon-lg7zm]

Why is she not in front of a judge and jury?

[@SheSaidWalkOnOver]

This isn’t a criminal trial but the outcomes of the inquiry might lead to criminal charges. Watch this space!

[@johnnewman1975]

Absolutely shameful to watch what she has done unforgivable

[@marybusch6182]

She's crying because the TRUTH will out and she belongs in jail and she thought she could get away with the scam and her bonuses... and pension...

[@robertcarroll9409]

Crocodile tears 😢

[@chrisbevis7725]

No tears - her eyes are dry! She does it to pay for time because she needs to think of an answer.

[@williamgeorgefraser]

She should be imprisonned for the entire number of years all postmaster had to serve.

[@jamescoburn6789]

The dead can't be revived with tears. Those driven to despair and madness, knowing they were innocent, by an overwhelming force of malicious litigators, cannot be repaired. This requires true and visible justice.

[@chrisbevis7725]

Exactly - where were her tears for them?

[@chrismcerlain1664]

Crocodile tears. She should be in jail

[@Poppycat9182]

Her only real tears of the day were when she was questioned about a SPM who died, and even there her tears were for one of her colleagues who died, not for the SPM and his family.

[@kayflynn7851]

I feel so sorry for all the victims watching this, she is just in survival mode 🙄

[@Jason_g_kennedy]

Crocodile tears and BS apologies because she was caught out.

[@jamescoburn6789]

I'll bet her lawyers advised her to think about her home being repossesed, to bring on tears.

[@vxs5077]

Tears have been weaponised for centuries. No, Ms Vennells. No, thanks. This supposed empathy ought to have been at play when the car crash was unfolding on your watch. Side note: Even as she seemingly gets "emotional" over a postmaster's suicide, she takes the opportunity to remind the inquiry that the person's father explicitly told her that the suicide was not simply because of the scandal but because "there were other issues involved". 🤮🤮🤮

[@mirjamwillemsen900]

Since I learned about this scandal, I keep being baffled about what has happened to all those poor subpostmasters.

[@chrisbevis7725]

Many have died because of the time this has taken!

[@thechosenwon6762]

ITS A BIG CLUB AND WE AREN'T IN IT 😢

[@victoriaman117]

She should get the collective time served for all those sent to prison

[@chrisbevis7725]

Plus 20 years!

[@CeravvvEgan]

She must have a messiah complex saying she did what she did out of “compassion”. Is she for real?!

[@chrisbevis7725]

She is evil and twisted!

[@miguelb6282]

Crocodile tears, she's only upset because she's been caught out.

[@acerimmer1023]

"How sorry I am......for getting found out"

[@M3PH11]

she knows shes done and is trying to get out of it.

[@stephenbuffery180]

Who wrote the script for her ?😂😂

[@MrZart]

Probably one of her Church chronies...maybe even The Archbisop of Westiminister himself! Thou Shalt Not Be A Liar, etc+

[@ChangesOneTim]

Mishcon de Reyer

[@stephenbuffery180]

@@ChangesOneTim who ?

[@ChangesOneTim]

@@stephenbuffery180 Top-drawer firm of solicitors she's hired - specialises in 'reputation management' (among other things) for the wealthy

[@Foxyexrn]

Her cronies

[@tomhenry897]

Did she give back the money and awards? Has she apologized Has she called for release from jail, clearing their names Compensation

[@chrisbevis7725]

Even if she did it would only be because she was hoping to get away with her crimes by pretending she was sorry or cared!

[@davidmorgan1963]

Crocodile tears.

[@janetlowe6448]

Takes zero responsibility at all!

[@loki1066]

Everyone seems to feel sorrow when they're in the dock.

[@ChangesOneTim]

The UK's unluckiest CEO. My heart bleeds for her.

[@Maddo_Aussie]

In my opinion she has displayed insipid and incompetent governance and blatant disregard to evaluate evidence that she and her Executive team advising her on this matter should go to jail for many years for destroying so many lives...

[@chrisbevis7725]

She KNEW exactly what was going on and it had nothing to do with incompetence, She put the money she stole from the SPM's in a slush fund because it was not really money that had never gone missing or been stolen. The question is what did she do with that money, where is it or who spent it?

[@jeanrees1502]

Jail the lier

[@DavidR_192]

She is absolutely unconvincing, bordering on fake.

[@TruthTeller977]

Absolutely no sympathy, pathetic.

[@arobbins7271]

Not an Oscar-worthy performance, that's for sure. It'll be a crying shame if this woman doesn't wind up in prison.

[@KhanneticTV]

Why she crying

[@Foxyexrn]

She’s been held to account that’s why … Covid enquiry .. MPs did the same ‘ all very sorry’ when held to account

[@chrisbevis7725]

She is not crying she needs time to think of an answer for the brilliant Beer!

[@chesurechesure]

Apology not accepted.

[@metalli07]

"I'm incredibly sorry because I've been found out."

[@anthonyporter3147]

She cries when the questions get hard , what about the postmasters who were crying themselves to sleep on their first night in prison

[@MichaelGeorge161]

1:57 for the fake crocy crocy chocy tears

[@portcullis5622]

🧅🧅🧅💧💧💧 🐊💧💧💧 Two more days of selective amnesia ahead.

[@All_or_NothingUK]

Sorry she’s been caught, not sorry for the absolute horror she sat back and allowed to happen to these people. A very insincere and vile woman. Her and the others, Alan Cook etc all deserve to go to jail!

[@rjvtechnologies]

Essentially, Paula Vennells argument hinges on the claim that she was unknowingly misled by what she portrays as an overwhelming volume of "good corporate memory," causing her and the entire department to overlook incompetence and misconduct. Consequently, because these transgressions were disregarded, she deems them non-existent in her awareness. Thus, she absolves herself of responsibility or liability for actions of which she claims ignorance, despite occupying the highest position of responsibility at the post office, with a legal obligation to be informed of such matters. She refers to this as "bad corporate memory." In summary, through this disingenuous and facetious argument, she diminishes the seriousness of events and distances herself from involvement. Simultaneously, she lauds her own conduct throughout the period when, under her direction, individuals were wrongfully prosecuted and incarcerated for crimes that never occurred, and for which no evidence existed. Not only was she aware of these miscarriages of justice, but she also expedited all legal proceedings during that time and halted the initiation of new cases. This was a deliberate attempt to conceal wrongdoing. Her objective was to swiftly resolve all matters, regardless of the cost, in order to sweep them under the rug and move on. This allowed her to claim that administratively, the post office was functioning exceptionally well, with no service issues, despite the introduction of a flawed digital system for post office financial transactions, which she endorsed. This flawed system necessitated Fujitsu, the program's creator, to have direct access to a hidden backdoor that could manipulate postmasters' accounts without their knowledge. Fujitsu evidently exaggerated the capabilities of the accounting program in its initial proposal, aiming to address any flaws after securing the contract with the post office. It's evident that Fujitsu lobbied for the deal, explaining why Post Office CEO Paula Vennells, in her position of power, took the actions she did. She was not compelled to do so and could have resigned the moment she became aware, or claimed ignorance of, any criminal activity. The Post Office CEO, Paula Vennells, sought to obtain one or more results for herself directly and indirectly, explicitly through one or more means which are not legal nor foreseen in UK law. This constitutes corruption, as the maintenance of one job role, either private or institutional, through the same means as described in the paragraph above constitutes corruption and does not require a corrupt and corrupted, and even less an exact exchange of legal tender, goods, or services. The Post Office CEO, Paula Vennells, knowingly violated the law.

[@chrisbevis7725]

But since no money went missing and they stole money from SPM's under false pretences and put it in a slush fund of some sort - where is that money now? If they shared it out among themselves then they had to cover it all up. That is the missing question in all of this!

[@ayrasoin]

Can we bring Boris & Lizz Truss to any inquiry and ensure they both cry multiple times 🤬

[@JayBeebie]

Vennells also worked as an ordained priest for the Church of England, and had ambitious plans for her future in the church. As an atheist, I feel a bit odd saying thank God we now know she has no moral compass. So much for "religious belief".

[@vanessas2363]

I thought she had that self righteousness thing going on. Urgh.

[@topcat4265]

Little horror.

[@Napoleonwilson1973]

She’s crying because her spawn Gollum lost the one ring to rule them all.

[@kingkush4476]

Shes one of the worse ones uv got some front crying u had no simpathy for all them effected iv none for u

[@samadamson797]

No sympathy. She needs to be in jail for life.

[@HariGuru-b6o]

Fundamental question: 1. What was the procession rate of sub postmaster prior to horizon installation. 2. Alarm bells rings when this shoots up to unprecedented level, in one year of pricescutiins. 3. Why is post office allowed to procedure with balance of evidence. 4. Private investigators told her fakse evidence given in court by PO, lied to court, people convicted. Knowingly, she denied the truth, sent people to jail, knowing the truth, I see crocodile tears, great acting! Give her a bafta, sorry, no insult to actors.

[@chrisbevis7725]

Also since no money went missing and they stole money from SPM's under false pretences and put it in a slush fund of some sort - where is that money now? If they shared it out among themselves then they had to cover it all up. That is the missing question in all of this!

[@sandrataylor7599]

She makes me puke!! A woman of the Church? That says it all doesn't it - they've covered up many scandals over the years. She knew exactly what was going on & she was complicit in sending innocent people to jail. She must be locked up & made to pay for her despicable behaviour 😡😡😡

[@scottharrison4628]

surely she has to do time??????????

[@martingrimsted5017]

Most telling thing so far, one of Vennells colleagues saying "What kind of God was she praying to" Here's some clues, he's red, has a red tail and red horns and lives underneath us

[@chrisbevis7725]

Spot on! Also since no money went missing and they stole money from SPM's under false pretences and put it in a slush fund of some sort - where is that money now? If they shared it out among themselves then they had to cover it all up. That is the missing question in all of this!

[@dadangus100]

She cries for herself ....never for her victims and she has rehearsed and rehearsed her replies and is clearly thrown when asked a question outside her expectations

[@mrtango5003]

another crocodile tears

[@loki1066]

Great acting 'EXCUSE ME' - (reaches for tissue)

[@constantius4654]

Prison for Ms Vennells. Prison prison prison.

[@MegaDeansy]

She's crying because she's thinking about 'Big Agnes' her future room ......... oops, sorry - CELL mate !

[@BlueJazzBoyNZ]

Crocodile Tears. Hundreds of Families destroyed. Lives ruined. Lives Lost ! Deflection Denial and Delay ...

[@chrisbevis7725]

Also since no money went missing and they stole money from SPM's under false pretences and put it in a slush fund of some sort - where is that money now? If they shared it out among themselves then they had to cover it all up. That is the missing question in all of this!

[@BartSliggers]

She hid a bit of soap under her nails, then quickly touched her eyeballs, exactly as rehearsed.

[@HillaryThorne]

Lock her up

[@douglowes]

Should be ashamed of what she’s done. Should seriously consider her current position as a clerical minister

[@Coco-uk9tv]

0:54 She's not sorry. Liar.

[@clivefinlay3901]

Very rare in the UK for the top people of organizations to have to serve jail time for their part in destroying lives, there’s no real lasting accountability. Yet for the poorest in the land who have, often unwittingly, ‘defrauded’ the DWP of a few pounds their lives are put through a mangle! It will be an education to watch what happens with PV over this, perhaps a few stern words or even some strong tutting but little more than that. She will retire with a good pension and keep all her bonuses. Or perhaps take a role as head of one of the many top earning charity organizations!

[@chrisbevis7725]

Exactly!

[@techtinkerin]

Crocodile tears. Jail time.

[@Jean-m2t]

Crocodile tears. How many tears has she caused. Those poor Post Office staff. She is an awful woman. She should be in jail.

[@Msminimumdose]

She said I’m sorry they suffered yeah right… but that’s not taking the accountability! It should have been I’m sorry I’m responsible for this suffering - it’s a cheap way of gaining public sympathy for herself 😡

[@chrisbevis7725]

Also since no money went missing and they stole money from SPM's under false pretences and put it in a slush fund of some sort - where is that money now? If they shared it out among themselves then they had to cover it all up. That is the missing question in all of this!

[@Msminimumdose]

@@chrisbevis7725 that money went into their suspense account by rights to be returned if needs be, but no, and later squirrelled into their profit account. Directors then cream off the profits to pay themselves bonuses.

[@keithdee5396]

Paula Vennells has destroyed People's lives. Is there going to be Real Justice for these poor employees? Her tears were for herself. She has been caught out lying. She thought she was above the law. Paula Vennells should pay for her Crimes.

[@chrisbevis7725]

And apparently 4 lcommitted suicide and many more had to be closely. watched by their families!

[@onenote6619]

If she had admitted fault a few years ago, that would have been plausible. At this point, it is trying to dodge responsibility.

[@chrisbevis7725]

Since no money went missing and they stole money from SPM's under false pretences and put it in a slush fund of some sort - where is that money now? If they shared it out among themselves then they had to cover it all up. That is the missing question in all of this!

[@Robertonnz]

The P.O. seems to have totally wasted money on her salary. She was not involved in anything, did not know anything or did not recall anything. What did she actually do? Send her to the clink.

[@chrisbevis7725]

Also since no money went missing and they stole money from SPM's under false pretences and put it in a slush fund of some sort - where is that money now? If they shared it out among themselves then they had to cover it all up. That is the missing question in all of this!

[@mrwinston_thepug]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MakeWhatYouCan]

Fake tears much!

[@ce5890]

She looks like Roger off Family Guy