Post Office Horizon Inquiry LIVE: Angela van den Bogerd gives evidence

The inquiry will hear evidence from the former people services director at Post Office Ltd and programme director for the branch support programme.
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[@t.dmytryshyn2615]

This woman was right at the center of this cover-up and she deserves to be put on trial and sent to jail.

[@andyhilton3359]

That woman must go to prison....

[@grantmcraven]

She has no self respect, she lies, and obfuscates, she blames others. How does she sleep at night? She constantly describes herself as just receiving/passing information to other people, (she's like a glorified email server), and in doing so uses that action to excuse herself from reading and acting on documents. Further she also uses it as an excuse to not ever remember any of them even when she was giving evidence at the various High Court Trials. And yet it's obvious in her testimony today that she's both read and studied all the documents and lawyered up. What an awful example of arrogance, pomposity and entitlement. I enjoyed Mr Baers suggestion that "she's dancing on the head of a pin" after one of her answers. If the Police don't, as minimum, bring a charge of perjury then there's something really wrong at the Met. One hopes that her sleeping will be more difficult in jail.

[@Tyrrituil]

She sleeps soundly on her mounds of cash bonuses

[@Melody-st4df]

This case exposes the Dangers of the 'Obedience mindset' being systemic throughout The Post Office. And the core beliefs of people like Angela Van del Bogerd Never to Question decisions taken by those in authority.

[@suescourfield7902]

She was either “unaware”, “not involved” or “didn’t take in” important information via email - she claims to be “busy doing…..???” but really doesn’t seem to have done anything of any relevance…and is not responsible for anything either…..so what exactly was her job description and what was she being paid for???

[@kayfj4903]

Yes, I loved how Jason Beer KC finally cracked 20 minutes from the end and asked her "So what did you do then?' before going on to restate all the things she'd told him today that she didn't do - hilarious! 😂

[@skepticalbadger]

@@kayfj4903 Just saw that bit - so good.

[@gwh3013]

I wonder how much she got paid to absolutely nothing

[@andrewscarr8943]

You ask, “ what was she being paid for ?” - Covering Paula Vennell’s a..e Watch PV drop A v d B in the smelly stuff, next week.

[@PiperStart]

She is typical of many in the corporate world who have a survivor mentality - to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds. Don't ask too many questions, and always agree with your superior. She received her salary and did very little.

[@Melody-st4df]

"I really don't remember" Therefor I am not guilty of anything at all.

[@FY13FEE]

I find it ironic that the media are showing the po’s failures yet they ignored this story for how many years? My understanding is journalists are there to keep the big companies in check! Why did you guys not persist on highlighting this horror??

[@skepticalbadger]

They didn't ignore it! Nick Wallis at the BBC was all over it a decade ago - three BBC Panorama programmes, various newspaper stories over the years. It was the government and MOST of the general public that refused to engage until the ITV drama.

[@FY13FEE]

@@skepticalbadger a decade ago! This is acceptable?

[@kayfj4903]

@@FY13FEE It was 26yr old (then) Rebecca Thomson who broke the Horizon scandal story in Computer Weekly in 2009 - 15 years ago. This was the same year Alan Bates convened the first meeting of wronged SPMs in the village hall at Fenny Compton, so at least one journalist was on the story as soon as it was being revealed more widely by those SPMs who previously thought (because it's what they were told by POL) that they were "the only one". It's weird how some people want to blame journalists for everything - action or inaction - they're damned if they do and damned if they don't in some people's eyes.

[@raymond3021]

She's truly truly sorry she got caught...

[@tanchauee1165]

Its appalling how she try to lie her way out

[@gabrielchuen]

She was specifically sent the email about remote access in 2010. Lynn sent her the email because it should concern her and her works! It was a Sunday was the funniest excuse so far.

[@pegasusstation4977]

"I can't comment" translates to "I won't comment because I prefer to lie"

[@pegasusstation4977]

Guilty

[@scentered]

Liar, liar, pants of fire!!!🤬

[@martinbennett2228]

In the Guardian web comments I wrote this "It seems to me that Angela van der Bogerd's admissions amount at the least to negligence, possibly even criminal negligence (though I do not have the legal training to judge)." Although it got a number of upticks, the Guardian deleted the comment. I must have trod on a raw nerve somehow.

[@terrysmith9362]

Its the Guardian You cant criticize a state run industry

[@andrewscarr8943]

I think I’ve heard enough from Angela “I wasn’t responsible” Bogerd.

[@debbiestevens4382]

It’s so convenient that these people never received or read the emails or the documents

[@gillwil]

But they remember not reading them...😅

[@desydukuk291]

"If ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise."

[@martinrees7412]

She lies quickly on her feet

[@richardhayes200]

Some pretty blistering cross-examination of AvbB from the PMs' barristers particularly Mr Steen. His delving into the helpline operation was particularly damaging I thought. AvdB's technique is to attempt to deflect questions and muddy the water by recourse to corporate speak as Steen picked up on. Quite a performance!

[@debbiestevens4382]

How does she sleep at night?

[@Tyrrituil]

With lots of cash bonuses

[@angelaM-wv9xe]

Lying toad

[@2012gallina]

One of the instigators of the cover up dating back to 2004. She needs life in prison.

[@eleanorscott2762]

Her whole intent is to avoid incriminating herself. The idea she didn’t know anything about anything is just preposterous!

[@chebliss]

Give her credit she does well in that she has trouble memorising facts. She is in Panic mode because she knows she is going to JAIL!

[@henryj.8528]

After watching dozens of these for hundreds of hours, these witnesses seem to be reading from the same narrative and to have been heavily coached and rehearsed. My current thinking is this inquiry is going nowhere... Too much deference. Too much allowance for faulty memories for certain facts while having a steel trap memory for others. Plus convoluted explanations about how direct written statements don't mean what a plain English reading would convey to the average person.

[@Tyrrituil]

Many are still working at the PO, probably still collusion central there

[@richardhayes200]

I hope Beer really nails her but she's a clever stonewaller - very composed and defensive. I noted his comment about her 'selectively' remembering the first email warning (which she claimed not to have seen) having been sent on a Sunday. She's done her homework pretty thoroughly and clearly knows the PO inside out. Put a note in your diaries, Vennels is due to testify over three days, May 22nd, May 23rd and May 24th. I hope it's Beer asking the questions.

[@Tyrrituil]

It's funny how Bogart can't speculate on others opinions unless it's on account of something she's involved in, then she's assuming their actions all day apparently

[@eleanorscott2762]

It better be Beer! I can’t imagine it won’t be and I can’t wait for it!!!

[@philtrant8986]

We would all like to see these people who caused the sub-postmasters years of grief, stress, financial ruin, suicide, long term mental health issues, loss of faith in the legal system and lots of other unmentioned suffering behind bars but the scary fact is this will go on for years and they will probably be made to pay back some money and at worst a suspended sentence and community service. The fact that they lied to parliament, lied in court, misled legal individuals, accountant, the media, and most importantly the sub-postmasters will unlikely be punished properly. (Look at the Carillion directors as a recent example). Incompetance is one thing from these individuals but misleading the world for nothing more than personal gain and protecting something rather than fixing it knowingly as part of their responsibility then pointing the finger at each other everyone demonstrates poor management, a toxic long term culture and behavioural mindset within the top tier of the post office, and no matter which way you sugar coat it all directors should be held to account and proper punishment should be given to the maximum the law allows as the post office did when they had the power to legally and financially ruin the lives of so many sub-postmasters. This will be just as much a test for the robustness of the legal system and government which is multiple parties as Horizon has been in place for 26 years.

[@gillwil]

Ask yourself Pst Offices where fine before the computer system.. People don't take their lives..

[@guff9567]

van den Bog-Head?

[@CeravvvEgan]

Why is Angela sniffing so much?

[@junkybabes]

Lock this woman up.