'I requested an apology letter and was declined.' More post office scandal victims speak out | LBC

[@jeffsuter344]

People forget that Private Eye has been exposing this injustice for years. They were ignored.

[@jamesprice4647]

The right wing media were not interested.. I wonder why.

[@Johlibaptist]

Yes, absolutely. Well done for mentioning this fact.

[@TheBareFootSewist]

By all governments, including the post office minister Ed Davey, the DPP Starmer. They have been let down by the police, CPS, the post office and revenue staff.

[@momeara7482]

The scandal and its resolution had (has) nothing to do with the CPS or the DPP. @@TheBareFootSewist

[@dishybear]

Wow. Did not know this. Very interesting.😮😮

[@Daisy-yq1gi]

The men who visited, lied, abused and accused these subpostmasters should be prosecuted as should that appalling Vennells woman. No such thing as British justice?

[@billpugh58]

I dont ever expect tories or their voters to do the right thing, do you? Look at BARONESS Mone prancing around with 29 million of our money!

[@nprees6779]

The men(?) who visited were carrying out PO Policy, somebody wrote that policy .... who .... and why?

[@angr3819]

​@@nprees6779Exactly. Policy isn't law nor statute law.

[@MrRQBQ]

I hope those judgemental people who conducted a campaign of spitting and bullying are now taking a hard look at themselves and feel thoroughly ashamed of their behaviour.

[@PedroConejo1939]

They won't though, will they?

[@_Damian_.]

I doubt it.

[@Ruda-n4h]

@@PedroConejo1939 Because the evidence does not fit in with their narrative - they're like moon landing deniers.

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

@@PedroConejo1939 99 % of those who did are guilty of stealing themselves, standing behind closed doors

[@alanredpath8998]

The money people "paid back" where is that? who has that? That's theft, fraud etc people need to be held to account for all this. Every single person falsely accused needs to be apologised to and made right.

[@shaun906]

it went into PO profits and increased the executives bonuses.

[@1inchPunchBowl]

it was included in their annual profit report. I kid you not.

[@JamesBoslem-fh9gr]

My understanding is the “compensation” that is currently talked about is this money these people were forced to “repay”. Government trying to minimise the damage by playing with semantics

[@christines5430]

They should get back the money that they "paid back" with interest in addition to compensation.

[@deanleng7403]

it will be shown in post office profits - and board members will have had bonuses paid on profits. absolute disgrace

[@matthewcoombs3282]

I am done with this rotten country. Everything that we once trusted is gone....The Goverment, Police, Transport and now the Post Office.....the result of 40 odd years of Goverments of both stripe knowing the price of everything and the cost of nothing. All sold off and out sourced, run by people who do not care about employees or customers or the public.

[@raymondstone9167]

Well said Sir.

[@wallybingbang4350]

Rotten to the core - 😢

[@Ruda-n4h]

101% correct Sir.

[@Palmstreet-u7x]

this all started way back when George Bush and Tony Blair lying about Saddam Hussain having nuclear weapons, thy got away with it,so why will any of these people be held accountable,

[@kevingrant7098]

Rishi Sunak made a law to say Rwanda is a safe country for asylum seekers. Can’t he just make a law saying these post office workers are all innocent?

[@sarangistudent8614]

Yeah, the Rwanda stuff is all lies, this is the truth. Can’t be legislating for the truth now, can they?

[@gardenroom65]

Now help WASPI women

[@peterbrailey1788]

Then he'll make a law saying they solved the credit crisis and solved global warming Weasels Or fascists However you look at it

[@timofeyosin]

Why would he? By the looks of it he is more likely to make a law saying this Post Office is innocent.

[@vinparaffin6082]

​@@gardenroom65......yes,yes,yes and yes again! A TOTAL INJUSTICE AGAINST THE LADIES! but no surprise from this corrupt and nasty Tory government!!

[@davidcronan4072]

That's the problem highlighted by your second caller. The Post Masters had no way to prove that the computer system had faults. They had no access to back-office systems or fault logs. So they were forced to pay back non-existent losses.

[@woodyspooner]

Nicki Arch (former post office manager) was kept in a locked room for 6 hours with no food or water and interigated by representatives from the Post Office who wrongfully accused her of theft , she wasn't allowed to have a lawyer with her. Surely, that can't be legal. What kind of country are we living in where this innocent woman was tortured, with not so much as an apology or a massive compensation payment . The Post Office can not be allowed to get away with this appalling treatment of the honest men and women Post Office managers.

[@angr3819]

You mean the former bosses and ministers of the public owned post office. Not the current bosses of the now privatised rig. Unless some of them are those responsible before it was sold to their bankster relatives. No doubt now indirectly controlled by Vanguard, Blackrock and similar (all in it together, as Cameron stated in 2010). This is repugnant behaviour by those involved in imposing the new computer system and in refusing to admit it was very faulty. They should all be prosecuted and heavily enough fined that it will affect their lives to the same extent as they caused the post masters and post mistresses. It is for them to sue the creators of the system. I would be astonished if a lot of the post office workers wrongly convicted of fraud had always had excellent accounts prior to the imposition of the new system, and that alone should have been proof - including in court - that so many of them couldn't be wrong. I believe the magistrates and judges are shouting at also be held to account. Bearing in mind that many post office workers lost their homes and credit ratings in addition to receiving criminal convictions. So were greatly and unjustly hindered from obtaining new jobs and homes. Even homes to rent. I haven't really kept up to date with this, and wonder if any committed suicide? Not if any have passed away from other causes, never having received justice and compensation? In fact, jail terms for the Ministers and the top bosses wouldn't be out of order.

[@angr3819]

@@patrino Actually a torture technique. Heinous.

[@Tonyr2]

4 suicides have been attributed to this scandal. Who knows maybe more. One lady was 8 weeks pregnant when she was send down and suffered severe depression after. DISGRACE.

[@michaeltoohey1385]

It is a country where State criminality goes unpunished.

[@raymondwilliamson8812]

This shows how much corruption there is at the top in every way

[@Trebornudd69]

I want to know the names above Vennels who were given the orders to prosecute and who instructed the IT Helpline Team to say “you are the only one having this problem”. WHO are these people- they are never mentioned- just Vennels. They must be prosecuted.

[@blue_jay31]

Yes please !

[@kitm141]

This! I keep seeing people blaming “the system” - the system was buggy but people knew that and instead of admitting it was not fit for purpose, they decided to lie. Who were those people? The helpline team didn’t make this up themselves and probably not their managers either - there has to be some way of finding out who gave the direction. Who did the user testing, who signed off on this, who reviewed the performance reports? Questions like this are asked and answered every day - why isn’t it happening now?

[@angr3819]

Absolutely. This is repugnant behaviour by those involved in imposing the new computer system and in refusing to admit it was very faulty. They should all be prosecuted and heavily enough fined that it will affect their lives to the same extent as they caused the post masters and post mistresses. It is for them to sue the creators of the system. I would be astonished if a lot of the post office workers wrongly convicted of fraud had always had excellent accounts prior to the imposition of the new system, and that alone should have been proof - including in court - that so many of them couldn't be wrong. I believe the magistrates and judges are shouting at also be held to account. Bearing in mind that many post office workers lost their homes and credit ratings in addition to receiving criminal convictions. So were greatly and unjustly hindered from obtaining new jobs and homes. Even homes to rent. I haven't really kept up to date with this, and wonder if any committed suicide? Not if any have passed away from other causes, never having received justice and compensation? In fact, jail terms for the Ministers and the top bosses wouldn't be out of order.

[@Jezza_One]

Criminal prosecutions will follow the CPS enquiry

[@paulmasonsjazz9611]

The first thing the Post Office should do is pay back the money THEY stole from the postmasters, with interest at the going rates, per year until the day they pay it back. Then compensation can be sorted out later, but a deadline of say 6 months should be set. Fujitsu should be liable for most of the legal costs over the decades I would have thought as they knew the truth all along. It seems all political parties are guilty of not sorting things out and cover-ups which says all we need to know about our political system!

[@angr3819]

Not at all. It is now privatised. Prices would be increased even further to cover costs. This is repugnant behaviour by those involved in imposing the new computer system and in refusing to admit it was very faulty. They should all be prosecuted and heavily enough fined that it will affect their lives to the same extent as they caused the post masters and post mistresses. It is for them to sue the creators of the system. I would be astonished if a lot of the post office workers wrongly convicted of fraud had always had excellent accounts prior to the imposition of the new system, and that alone should have been proof - including in court - that so many of them couldn't be wrong. I believe the magistrates and judges are shouting at also be held to account. Bearing in mind that many post office workers lost their homes and credit ratings in addition to receiving criminal convictions. So were greatly and unjustly hindered from obtaining new jobs and homes. Even homes to rent. I haven't really kept up to date with this, and wonder if any committed suicide? Not if any have passed away from other causes, never having received justice and compensation? In fact, jail terms for the Ministers and the top bosses wouldn't be out of order.

[@Jezza_One]

​@@angr3819This is a common mistake The Post Office Limited is still owned by rhe UK Government.

[@56postoffice]

The Windrush scandal, Hillsborough, Grenfell, the sub Postmasters, the Machioness, the list of endless miscarriages is shocking. Fujitsu and the Post Office should pay the compensations in full. And criminal prosecutions and jail sentences.

[@angr3819]

The now privatised post office shouldn't pay. The costs would be passed on in even more price rises. This is repugnant behaviour by those involved in imposing the new computer system and in refusing to admit it was very faulty. They should all be prosecuted and heavily enough fined that it will affect their lives to the same extent as they caused the post masters and post mistresses. It is for them to sue the creators of the system. I would be astonished if a lot of the post office workers wrongly convicted of fraud had always had excellent accounts prior to the imposition of the new system, and that alone should have been proof - including in court - that so many of them couldn't be wrong. I believe the magistrates and judges are shouting at also be held to account. Bearing in mind that many post office workers lost their homes and credit ratings in addition to receiving criminal convictions. So were greatly and unjustly hindered from obtaining new jobs and homes. Even homes to rent. I haven't really kept up to date with this, and wonder if any committed suicide? Not if any have passed away from other causes, never having received justice and compensation? In fact, jail terms for the Ministers and the top bosses wouldn't be out of order.

[@sydnorth5868]

@@angr3819 The Post Office is still owned by the Government. It was Royal Mail that was privatised. Two different organisations. Having said that, if the Post Office were made to compensate those affected, then ultimately the cost would be borne by the taxpayer. I'd start with Fujitsu, followed quickly by the executives who were responsible for running the Post Office.

[@shaun906]

the more i hear the worst it gets!

[@sarangistudent8614]

It didn’t take them this long to find £300m for some faulty PPE did it. I wonder why.

[@deerheart87]

Astounding

[@ianhewitson2738]

The media is all over this today but with a few notable exceptions, where have they been for the last 20 years?

[@mikekaraoke]

They were years ago as well, where you been Ian?

[@lordchaa1598]

I’m from the states and remember hearing about this way back around 2004-2006. This was only because I was studying abroad and visited a friend who lived in Liverpool. While I was there I needed to mail home some gifts I had purchased for my brother in law who happened to be a huge Liverpool fan. The local post office ended up being shut down while I was in line to ship. Even my friend who lived there didn’t believe me. So it’s not surprising that it took the public and news so long to catch on. It was inconceivable at that time to believe the government was so backwards and corrupt.

[@ianhewitson2738]

​@@mikekaraoke Private Eye and Computer Weekly reported it for years and there was an excellent Panamara documentary. However, given the sheer scale of this, large swathes of the media paid it scant attention and this is why the ITV drama has made such a huge impact. Quite simply, most people had no idea.

[@davidboult4143]

​@@ianhewitson2738of course ITV kept quiet. Adam Crozier.

[@andrewoliver8930]

Tapping celebrity's phones and waffling on about Harry and Meghan.

[@gorillaz308]

Fujitsu seem very quiet over this whole matter, surely they have a lot to answer to??

[@andrewoliver8930]

The Education Secretary could get her husband to talk about it. He's the latest CEO.

[@angr3819]

​@@andrewoliver8930Ah, but it's now privatised. This is repugnant behaviour by those involved in imposing the new computer system and in refusing to admit it was very faulty. They should all be prosecuted and heavily enough fined that it will affect their lives to the same extent as they caused the post masters and post mistresses. It is for them to sue the creators of the system. I would be astonished if a lot of the post office workers wrongly convicted of fraud had always had excellent accounts prior to the imposition of the new system, and that alone should have been proof - including in court - that so many of them couldn't be wrong. I believe the magistrates and judges are shouting at also be held to account. Bearing in mind that many post office workers lost their homes and credit ratings in addition to receiving criminal convictions. So were greatly and unjustly hindered from obtaining new jobs and homes. Even homes to rent. I haven't really kept up to date with this, and wonder if any committed suicide? Not if any have passed away from other causes, never having received justice and compensation? In fact, jail terms for the Ministers and the top bosses wouldn't be out of order.

[@Ruda-n4h]

@@andrewoliver8930 The snouts are so far in the trough they've gone 360 degrees.

[@Then.72]

The honest soldiers who fought for our nation during the wars would be disgusted with this country today for what it’s now become 😡

[@jamesprice4647]

You really must get over the last war. It is eighty years ago.

[@rodmcintosh3149]

@@jamesprice4647not at all

[@clive373]

@@jamesprice4647 it's not about the war, it's about the decline of the integrity of our government. And if that doesn't concern you you are not thinking right.

[@angr3819]

How many of us are relieved they are at peace and not here to see it all?

[@petefl1818]

@@jamesprice4647 Why, is it because it was fought against those against fascists who resemble many of the politicians we see in politics today? The greatest lesson from history is people don't learn from the lessons of history.

[@colinmiller8361]

1) Any monies lost by these Post office workers MUST be repaid in full by the Post Office and solely by the Post Office. 2) They MUST be compensated as soon as possible, depending on the degree of distress they have, and are still suffering. This MUST be paid for by the Post Office and Fujitsu. 3) All directors, MP's and any one else involved in covering up these crimes MUST be charged as soon as possible. 4) The Post Office Must not be allowed to use the powers that it has when dealing with its employees. One other thing that I find strange, why is the former CEO of the Post Office, Mr Adam Crozier, who become the boss at ITV, not mentioned in the program?

[@angr3819]

Solely the now privatised post office, which will increase prices again to cover the cost? No! This is repugnant behaviour by those involved in imposing the new computer system and in refusing to admit it was very faulty. They should all be prosecuted and heavily enough fined that it will affect their lives to the same extent as they caused the post masters and post mistresses. It is for them to sue the creators of the system. I would be astonished if a lot of the post office workers wrongly convicted of fraud had always had excellent accounts prior to the imposition of the new system, and that alone should have been proof - including in court - that so many of them couldn't be wrong. I believe the magistrates and judges are shouting at also be held to account. Bearing in mind that many post office workers lost their homes and credit ratings in addition to receiving criminal convictions. So were greatly and unjustly hindered from obtaining new jobs and homes. Even homes to rent. I haven't really kept up to date with this, and wonder if any committed suicide? Not if any have passed away from other causes, never having received justice and compensation? In fact, jail terms for the Ministers and the top bosses wouldn't be out of order.

[@Jezza_One]

​@@angr3819I thought the post office is still state owned.

[@colinmiller8361]

I believe at least one has committed suicide and five or so have sadly passed away without being cleared.

[@samnichols4361]

@@angr3819 Royal Mail was privatised - Post Office was, however, not privatised and is state-owned

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

Paid back only by the Post Office? What about Fujitsu which has made a fortune from this system?

[@MartinHayes-l4j]

I watched this drama on tv and im a 59 year old man who worked at Royal mail for 34 years . While watching this i found myself crying as this company is rotten to the core and it is no surprise to me

[@darkforest4891]

I work with money and a useless computer system and still can't imagine it messing up so bad that I'm accused of theft. These people must have felt so helpless and so alone. At least the truth being out is some vindication but it can't undo the trauma.

[@MrTelboy1962]

As one contributor pointed out below, did Horizon's system ever create discrepancies which were in the Post Masters favour or was every single discrepancy in the Post Office's favour.

[@JayZinnon09]

Sometimes the balance would be up but these would normally come back the next week and never in large amounts and this would still have to be looked into. In my time working in many post offices they would always be down week on week.

[@Yetaxa]

There was one case I read about where it listed a surplus of £500, and upon trying to fix it, it was reversed to a £500 loss and the postmaster was made to pay it. Insane.

[@twelveightyone]

No. This flawed Horizon system had a habit of creating duplicate entries so it always went AGAINST the Subpostmasters - sell something for £200, duplicate entry by flawed Horizon, the SPO owes £200. Totally abhorrent behaviour. People need to be jailed for this scandal.

[@muz355]

I bet that person who spat at the lady (Nicki) must feel like a right muppet. Stupidity from all angles. Absolute disgrace.

[@alanbeaumont4848]

No, that kind of person is already beyond shame.

[@Jezza_One]

Can you imagine what sort of individual you would have to be to do that in the first place.

[@theotheoth]

Yeah, I also tend to believe that the kind of person who would spit at someone will continue to justify themself by refusing to believe any evidence that they got it wrong. This seems to be symptomatic of the pretty much global zeitgeist we now live in.

[@Ruda-n4h]

@@theotheoth Very true.

[@fetchstixRHD]

@@theotheoth: I wouldn't even be surprised if they found a way to still somehow blame her and say that it's her fault for what happened to her too...

[@andrewoliver8930]

The latest CEO of Fujitsu is married to the Education Secretary. Small world.

[@bowlingarry]

What a lovely and frightfully delightful cuntry we live in

[@deerheart87]

U can't make this stuff up ....

[@angr3819]

So how many workers contracted their own local MP's to no avail? If any did, who were those MP's?

[@wallybingbang4350]

Watching the TV drama now Absolutely horrendous including suicide The Post Office that we all loved is a cruel, callous corporate monster run by psychopaths 😡

[@chrissmith8526]

I’m so sorry for the lady the first caller my heart goes out to her

[@mpat100]

Blessings and healing for her and all affected by this

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

The Tories knew about this for years and yet they are only acting on it now. Why is that?

[@elsasteglich9522]

I still remember the Profumo case. I was too young and we were not allowed to see it in the news. I’m portuguese. Is it always Tories? Brits get along with this? Scary

[@bibsp3556]

Election season, it's a dead cat

[@shaun906]

its funny listening to them act all surprised and disgusted!

[@kiragoe]

I'm not sure if its just the tories, they said in one other video that this thing had been going on for a few decades. So it was happening under previous Labour and conservative governments.

[@firefox5926]

well up to 300 years apparently ...@@kiragoe

[@juniperMcScot]

No body (be it a person or company) should have the power to put people through this type of thing. These people were lied to, cheated, abused and denied any help. The abuse of power is on a level akin to the 'post office' is more important than people even when they knew the truth, making Fujitsu horizon and the post office complicit in the abhorrent treatment of the innocent post masters/mistresses involved all should be held to account.

[@vinparaffin6082]

Pritti Patel is leading the charge for justice for these people! YOU COULD NOT MAKE IT UP !!!

[@tommyhughes2264]

British justice, the best in the world, is for the birds, which in laymen's terms means that's a total myth.

[@emmaraft4854]

I can put a starting figure on it: they must be compensated to the standard they would have had if they had successfully run a business for over 20 years. Then the abuse must be be compensated for on top. Got to be a minimum of £1.5m each.

[@Seesewk]

A chief executive was given a CBE for treating teachers in her stable of schools exactly the same way. She would take experienced teachers close to retiring and fire them under false charges of underperforming so that they could not get another job in teaching. I think she was exercising her cutting edge financial skills as she was given this opportunity during the financial crisis when bankers needed other work. Overnight they were given dubious executive titles and unchecked power to run the NHS and other public services and run these services into the ground. To say thank you to the govt they left many teachers, after endless years of work unable to claim full pension. Many of them were left broken and ashamed and worse still unable to talk about it under management imposed confidentiality. This style of management is very well rewarded in banking and is shared as best practice across the nation in all public services that have been privatised on tax payer money.

[@pakpolitix]

The biggest astonishment for me is, do we always need some kind of TV drama in order to undo the injustices??? Look at the pace, since the ITV aired this drama, parliament has started discussing it with full passion for the very first time, making law (overnight) to over turn the convictions. The So called top executive is returning her CBE within 24 hours? …everything is now happening quick, quick & quick because it was dramatised. For 24 years no drama was aired, lives of the victims were constantly ridiculed, highly paid executive was being nominated for CBE, (she was happily bowing infront of her majesty to accept honour for so called great services while this ordeal was going on for ages),,,in short, days and nights both were beautiful for the entire top lot with millions of salaries….. Until someone made and aired this drama…. Does the system knows how to work ONLY when some dramatisation is aired???? Ridiculous!! System should work with same pace for every injustice, because it is not possible to dramatise each injustice.

[@shiftylad9938]

Isn’t it amazing that ALL these people were getting blamed rather than the system 🤷‍♂️and was the money there all along just not accounted for?

[@shaun906]

computer said no

[@1inchPunchBowl]

Oh it was accounted for. In fact it was included in the Post offices annual profit report. This now why the police are investigating them for fraud.

[@JayAndNightASMR]

Probably pocketed by the bosses

[@joanofarc8099]

The "system" will always demonise and prosecute the innocent and defenceless to divert their guilt and their responsibility for it!....its what they do!.....

[@andrewoliver8930]

The Crown v the commoner.

[@christinemay24]

Absolutely despicable treat of these innocent people.

[@angr3819]

​@@Craig121000Why on earth would you think that the wrongly accused don't deserve compensation? Their lives were wrecked for years. One committed suicide...you think compensation shouldn't be due to the grieving family? Why? You must have a reason. Maybe you misunderstand something.

[@dannylad1600]

Why was no one at the time able to flag up the fact that there was a random spike in respected Postmasters with no crimnal history and no connection to eachother all deciding to steeling vast amounts of cash from their work? You'd think someone would have noticed surely?

[@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904]

The first thing an investigator or judge should’ve asked is “what is the investigation or audit project number?”. The second time money ‘went missing’, POL would’ve/should’ve called meetings and calls to see if the app had security vulnerabilities and was being hacked. They would’ve called in ‘Pen-testers’ pronto. They would’ve set up a mockup to run through a theft MO, working with Fujitsu to see if it was human error, a training issue…bugs, a logic/gui issue…or an exploit/hack. No company would just think the software is rock solid and it’s just internal thieves.

[@sshultan338]

These people responsible for this miscarriage of justice should have their savings & pensions taken away, lose their jobs & sent to jail See how they deal with it!

[@j.dunlop8295]

Definitely sounds like intentional corporate subterfuge, for profits! Bonuses must be earned! Insane!Greed?

[@MercNov2011]

If it was just one Post Office I could understand there being suspicion, but when there were numerous ones, wasn’t it obvious there was an underlying problem?! Sounds like a third world country - absolutely mind blowing.

[@Chinni_C888]

She was advised to plead guilty?! Was that barrister on the Post Office pay roll?

[@tonyknight9912]

The whole thing is simply beyond appalling !

[@D-2-the-no]

Fujitsu is worth 28b. Let that sink in after theyve destroyed over 700 families lives and the petty compensation for their fked up system that let people down. Not even 5b @ 600k per postmaster. Disgusting

[@skyrat3816]

I've just gotten round to watching the series. It was a hard watch with every one of those postmasters being told that they were on their own had to be the most soul crushing thing the Post Office had told them. But them "skint little people" found out that they weren't alone and here we are know with the lid on this scandal wide open for everyone to see. The UK general election is just around the corner and if the subpostmasters formed a party with Mr Bates as their leader. I know where my vote will go.

[@inspectit210]

Just hearing & learning about this horrible story (from this video ,& subsequent read of a "Time" report about it)🤯 I'm American and can't believe this story hasn't had any significant coverage here.? ALL of these victims deserve vindication AND hella Compensation for their pain & suffering,! Along with Justice to be Served on ANY that deserves it! I'm glad this has been exposed at least and wish all of the victims the best of luck with getting their lives, financial compensation and, reputations restored.👍

[@gerrynicol3951]

Well said ..

[@angr3819]

Thank you. Appreciated. Not I nor any of my family have worked for the post office, but it is horrendous that innocent people could be set up (and I mean set up) as fraudsters to cover those who were really committing great fraud. Only obviously, so many bosses and ministers couldn't have failed to realise that the Horizon system was 'faulty' (was it? Or was it designed to do what it did?). Especially when those with previously impeccable records and some for many years, were accused. I suspect their innocence was never supposed to be proven. Reportedly, they were forced to 'repay' the 'lost' monies, and that went into the bonuses of the top dogs. There you have it.

[@MyFuengirola]

I totally agree that the government and post office have behaved like a police state .

[@davidbreakspear8776]

Can anyone confirm if there where any cases where the postmaster worked in a large GPO in a city, rather than a small community post office. My theory in this case is that small post offices were targeted deliberately because if these errors would have been from larger post offices then the deficits would have been accordingly much larger, and therefore easier to identify as a system error rather than outright theft.

[@charlesbuchan8873]

This lady is telling the truth they have been covering up for years absolutely shocking that this poor lady had to go through and the abuse she and many more had to go through this post-office is an absolute despicable organisation.

[@peterbricknell8709]

There is no punishment for false accusation; there is no accountability for lying to imprison others. Surely this needs to be addressed too? The crime of false accusation should hold the same prison time as that of the person facing the false accusation - that might make people check facts first. These people suffered and even committed suicide due to false accusation. We should also reflect on our own attitude to those in prison, because it's only now that we forgive the victims, but I bet most of us were happy to condemn them at the time. Many of the victims were told to 'admit guilt' just to save costs and hassle. Now their admission of guilt is denying them the chance for compensation - because you 'wouldn't admit guilt for something you didn't do' (yes - it happens regularly). And yet, if they did go to prison they were seen as being 'in denial' (and even lose privileges because they aren't remorseful). If they were found not guilty then many people would consider 'they got away with it'. And we have an attitude of the people in prison as 'liars', 'can't be trusted' and capable heinous crimes beyond what they went to prison for. Can you imagine mark of Cain each of these sub-postmasters suffered after prison - in being denied jobs, or authority in charities, or even passing safeguarding to volunteer? And yet - it was the institution who lied. It was many hundreds of individuals in programmers, project managers, call-centre staff, and prosecutors who falsely accused these people and followed the bureaucracy to drive them to prison, and they will never be held accountable - because 'they were doing what they thought was right at the time'. What's the next scandal brewing of suffering due to people thinking they are doing the right thing?

[@snapdragon1194]

Every one of the people in charge of this criminal mismanagement should be held entirely responsible and made to pay not only in money, but prison as well. They systematically hounded these people with lies and accusations against the victims that they knew from the start were bogus. Absolutely disgusting from start to now, they need to all be charged with criminal behaviour.

[@rorysmith2415]

This is a big scandal.

[@mazybee9149]

Why did all the people get blamed and not the it system? It wasn't even investigated for errors, which should of happened. It sounds like torture, absolutely criminal. I would send paula vennels to trial and to jail as well as anyone on the board. Not one judge or criminal lawyer notice the amount of post office masters entering court for the same issues? Unfair trials based on speculation, no evidence either. Hideous justice system.

[@zie9171]

It seems, education secretary, Keegan, her husband was at the helm of Fujitsu. The company were awarded most gov projects. !!!!!!!

[@evilronin7857]

Nick Ferrari jumping on the band wagon but has failed to bring this to light prior to it being exposed on a television docu series. Terrible excuse for a "journalist".

[@onlyme6819]

Shocking they're being made to wait all these years,can you imagine not paying your taxes for 20 odd years you,d be thrown in jail,but them in the government get away with it,,

[@WendyJones-zx7is]

Yeah , of course because the evil ones are all hoping they'll drop dead ! So it's less cash to pay ! But it's not so much these postmasters are craving for compensation , nor Justice ((( There is no British Justice now anyway ))) But as said in the 4 part drama it was the TRUTH These Workers wanted

[@bobgorman9481]

All the supposedly shortfalls were not actually shortfalls ,ie, they were just minus numbers on a screen , the many thousands of pounds that the wrongly accused postmasters repaid were real pounds , so who or where did it all go ?

[@garydixon4290]

To the post office

[@wabznasm9660]

Thanks for posting this.

[@shaunwoods8482]

I am Truly Ashamed of Our Country !

[@calvinjonesyoutube]

Does this say more about the courts, the post office, fujitsu, the media, politicians, the public..or someone else? For me its the courts that have failed the most as they should have been able to deal with companies lying and protect innocent people...on top of the accuracy of their judgements their is the money and time penalties involved in attempting to access justice. Companies will at times be dishonest but the courts should be a safeguard. Having said that the post office and fujitsu are appaling and no group has come out of this well.

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who refused even to back calls for Vennell to hand back her gong, was Britain’s Director of Public Prosecutions at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) from 2008 to 2013, before entering parliament. He never lifted a finger to challenge any of the frame-ups of the postmasters.

[@grrr.9998]

It reflects badly on privatisation if the once publicly owned company subsequently accuses honest, hard-working employees of theft, lying, and mismanagement.

[@jablot5054]

Post office Ltd is owned by the government . No way would this happen in the private sector,the share holders wouldn't let it.

[@V.T.travels]

Gross misconduct and appalling behaviour from the Post Office and Fujitsu Horizon. The British Justice system and the government had failed its people then, and continues to do so now until it’s held those responsible for this debacle fully accountable and compensated the innocent postmasters that were falsely accused and wrongfully prosecuted.

[@bdcalling1391]

The effected sub postmasters should sue for defamation

[@PDB1234]

What about all those that just paid and didnt question the money ?

[@Johlibaptist]

The truth is now coming out at last. This disgrace needs to be exposed and thoroughly investigated so that justice is delivered.

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

Second caller shows another nasty side of the Post Office.

[@davidrankin3234]

SEEMS ALL THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE WERE ALL INSTRUCKTED TO PLEAD GUILTY,THIS ALONE STINKS ,this is what I see after so long these crooks in charge , found out these people were innocent but carried on trying to cover it up ,Jail All PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE COVER UP, FOR 20YEARS AND MORE, AND ALL THE INNOCENT PEOPLE , COMPO FOR EACH PERSON SHOULD START AT 1 MILLION, AGAIN CROOKS

[@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904]

I’ve been in court on a charge…urged prior by my lawyer to plead guilty. Whilst being questioned, my lawyer chimed in with evidence she had all along (witness statement; Police statement) of my innocence. I still had to plead guilty. My point being you don’t know who to trust. If you’re naïve & innocent, they’ll eat you alive. Lawyers just want their fees.

[@jonb4020]

It's not just the Post Office: there are several organisations connected with the State that investigate, prosecute and convict people with little legal oversight and no independent legal process. Lives and careers can be ruined by incompetent or even malicious, unqualified people where the process is not under the control of a judge and not subject to the normal rules of evidence and and the accepted norms of fairness that the legal system in the UK tries to uphold.

[@jeanhawken4482]

While one public servant in the post office is paid executive draws a wage this will never be over. The gross incompetence by the executive branch is typical of dictatorial institutional. There are executives and Mitsubishi the IT providers need to pay financially and jail time. .

[@peterwhitear7716]

those on the board of the post office should jailed no questioned about it .

[@Zoro007]

Sadly Rishi is like a Meerkat, looking around for an election soundbite , they've had 20 off years to clear this injustice up but are only reacting to a TV program..... totally disgusting that it's taken this long, totally ineffective leadership they should all resign and hold their respective head's in shame.... clowns the lot of them !!!!!;

[@GPR111]

Dont forget to vote accordingly...... I wont.

[@rontocknell]

I object to the language used in this case. The sub postmasters did not "repay" the money the Post Office claim they owed. There was no missing money to repay. The money was illegally taken from the sub postmasters in a manner that can equally be described as theft, fraud or extortion (demanding money to which they are not entitled using threats). It can be passed off as "error" only until the date that the faults in the system were proven. Since that date the money has been retained illegally. None of the money was "repaid" because t wasn't "missing" in the first place. It wasn't "stolen" from the Post Office by sub postmasters. It was stolen from sub postmasters by the Post Office. It should have been returned immediately. I also echo Alan Bates' objection to describing this money as "compensation". It is not. It is returning the money that was taken from the victims. Compensation is additional payments n recognition of the suffering caused.

[@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904]

Underrated comment.

[@shantishanti1949]

22 years ago ??

[@andrewoliver8930]

From 1999 to 2015.

[@brianwaite6139]

How can one compensate for lost years and the ridicule. Sinister is the right word for the post office representatives. VAT used to be the same but without the excuse of a dodgy computer system.

[@maxnex7676]

The tax payers should not be liable to pay compensation, Fujitsu is the company that supplied the software and they are worth over 26 billion USD.

[@happyapple4269]

Did Horizon and the system malfunction or was it the people behind the scenes who had access to the postmasters account at fault for changing the discrepancies?

[@deerheart87]

My question also

[@Yetaxa]

A bit of both.

[@jeremiahkearney5191]

Post Office Scandal, not just Horizon Scandal.

[@WendyJones-zx7is]

The 2 worked together this was and is a big cover up ? The ones responsible are only panicking now because their fingers have been caught in the till !?

[@lizfuller400]

Totally support you. So sorry feel for you. This TORY government has a lot to answer for.

[@TheSparrowLooksUp]

And yet, the boot that did the neck standing still remains happy and well fed.

[@JuliexSteadman]

WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS WAS DELIBERATE FRAUD AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. That the post office management were pocketing the money.... ....the post office got out of debt during this time as well...

[@DominicMcGaughey.117]

Did that woman really get shocktherapy in the itv drama and if not why did they do that for... Shocktherapy like..

[@johnedsel]

If she was trying to steal money from the post office, why would she report it multiple times?

[@grahamdavid007]

superb - many thanks

[@angelachicken4141]

I agree that it shouldn'thave to take a TV show to get people moving to sort this out. It's the same old story for Windrush. Grenfell and all the other travesties. Just because there is an article in the news doesn't seem to mean the govt. does anything about any of it. In which case, what are they there for?

[@sn4rff]

it's a scandal in the truest sense of the word. these people are owed more than apologies.

[@michaelrandall2070]

In past better times software trials were run and any problems thoroughly reearched. The PO must declare themselves as incompetent and cancel all legal charges and fully compensate with interest applied. All cases to be paid within 3 months. Apoeals to be handled within 3 months. People have and are dying.

[@damindra]

We need the senior management everysingle one of them to be put behind bars including those from Fujitsu and as for Vennells, she needs to pay for it fiscally and behind bars... just as did some of these post masters

[@hannchris2762]

Our government says Rawanda is a safe country based on all this im not sure the UK is all that safe

[@honeyb1286]

A national institution that we all trusted …

[@kev643]

Imagine a trade union rep trying to have a pay agreement with these bosses.

[@Sonofthe1655]

The post office isn't bankrupt its owned by international distribution services registered on the stock exchange and a constituent of the footsie index. No private company has the right to hold you against your will.

[@jablot5054]

Wrong. Post office ltd is owned but the UK government.

[@Sonofthe1655]

@@jablot5054 you need to check your information as of 8 am on the 5th October 2022 royal mail changed its name to international distribution services extract taken from the stock exchange shares magazine.

[@robhayes6121]

I personally wouldn’t have a letter I would want what you all are due compensation from the people that did this to you all, Vennells, CBE back, all her assets seized so the lady has to declare herself bankrupt, as no deterrent to these managers who think that they can bully, say anything an what they do to us.

[@JustB3NJI]

This is prime example of why it was wrong to get rid of the death penalty.

[@MrBiggles]

This country is broken. Our society is broken.

[@kevinbinks8881]

All the ones wrongly convicted should get £1 million

[@davidfoster9890]

This exposure of a huge scandal may get to be small fry if we ever get around to the "safe and effective" matter.........?

[@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904]

Yes, indeed! The 2020-2022 gaslighting…but also the ‘infected blood’ debacle from years ago. Ohhh, and the Ted Heath stuff.

[@heatherjones4981]

People took their own lives over this. What use is an apology or compensation to them? Appalling, evil behaviour on the part of the Post Office which victimised innocent people.

[@theenigmaticgamer]

This is a disgrace and those really responsible should be held to account,

[@johnteeling4679]

A present if you're paid to take responsibility , IE on the board , it seems as if all you need say is I wasn't aware/told about it. And thus be absolved from all responsibilities. But you are in a position to ask ,as part of your position, about problems and require evidence of such. Your not just a figure head you are paid to do a job not just make /say fancy words but take RESPONSIBILITY

[@meh.7539]

Dude, Raj is on to something. He's really on to something there.

[@shrimpoffthebarbie]

Spitting at Toby Jones? Let me at them.