Post Office Inquiry: Alan Bates delivers brutal assessment of bosses

Today was the moment for the real Alan Bates to stand up, as he was sworn in at the Horizon inquiry, delivering a brutal assessment of the Post Office bosses who hounded him and his colleagues, then tried to cover it up.
(Subscribe: bit.ly/C4_News_Subscribe)
But perhaps the most damning thing to come out of today - the accusation from the inquiry's chair that even now the Post Office seems to be attempting to obstruct the entire process.
-----------------------
Follow us:
Facebook - / channel4news
Twitter - / channel4news
TikTok - / c4news
Instagram - / channel4news

[@helmutreichart9081]

Why not put Alan Bates in charge of the Post Office? He surely has p,entry of experience, if only there were more like him. A true Hero for ordinary people.

[@sadjaxx]

Terrific idea!

[@3bebles]

Why not indeed? Excellent suggestion though I am sure poor Alan and his wife must be wishing for some peace and quiet at long last...

[@sandy7299]

Why punish him like that, he seems a decent bloke 😁

[@pedromorgan99]

@@sadjaxx Feet up as chairman.. lol

[@marybusch6182]

He has the expertise of any expert and the persIstence necessary to address issues and resolve them in a timely and deliberate fashion. Nobody would be better thatn he would be.

[@fatbelly27]

How incompetent do you have to be to leave a paper trail about not leaving a paper trail?

[@3bebles]

That kind of incompetence is typical precisely because they are total amateurs and grifters!

[@0xDEAFF00D]

Ironically, this is very common. All bureaucracies have to rely on their memos and CYA policies, and they always get found out because of these memos. Those of a certain age might remember the so-called Iran-Contra situation in the US, where these super-secret acronyms and their super-secret plans had to be spelled out and filed in triplicate, and then filed away. Again, whether or not anyone deserving goes to prison over any of these conspiracies is left as an exercise for the reader.

[@wolcek]

OK, lets hypothetically assume you have asked me to do something I think might be shady. You can bet I will keep a paper trail to cover my behind just in case. And then, if I do not like you any more, of if you do something shady to me, or of I want something from you, I will have a nice way to remind you where your loyalties lie.

[@morganmajurey5805]

With the shown level of incompetence within the Post Office they probably thought that by using emails there would be no 'paper trail' !

[@thomasneal9291]

...and that was in 2013.

[@jonb3311]

Don't forget Fujitsu have been as guilty as the PO during the whole of this conspiracy.

[@tenkloosterherman]

True.

[@kjensen7819]

They are a company founded to make money. PO is paid by tax money and is there to serve the public. Both guilty, but not the same.

[@cedcol356]

They're not Chinese or Russian so it's not an issue

[@user-zz9gn2dc3l]

Yes and now the government are putting this corporation in charge of the Central Bank Digital Currency they want to force on us all!!!

[@WildcraftBritain]

What happened to the money? 💰 I suspect there’s some people out there living the so called high life on this missing cash 😞

[@quietowl1246]

A total F ing disgrace. The responsible people including Vennels are the ones that should be serving decades in prison. I have no respect for the justice system if we don’t see justice for these postmasters. Absolutely horrific.

[@stevenclarke5606]

An Absolute disgrace of British Justice!

[@christhomson8924]

free israel!!!!! 🇮🇱 we have a right to exist! we are the victims of the holocaust

[@normanpearson8753]

I think prison is unlikely , sadly , decades was never on ,( ditto) , but losing their pension should be a must....if that isn't malfeasance in public office , then what is?! They could only go to court if the P.O. paid costs(!) , .....however , they won't lose their pensions .

[@davidgidman7561]

They should be in jail now awaiting trial

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

​@@normanpearson8753 I agree with you, as much as I'd love to see Paula Vennells, Angela Van Den Bogerd and everyone else who was involved in and covered this up should be bankrupted, lose their home and sent to prison but it won't happen. Senior managers are never held to account for things like this look at the Lucy Letby case senior managers supported her and bullied and threatened the doctors to back down when their suspicions were later proved to be correct and those managers haven't been charged with anything one was already retired and lets not forget Hillsborough those senior police officers have never been held accoutable for their actions they covered it up for over 20 years and blamed the Liverpool fans when it was their stupidity and utter incompetence that caused it. In the UK its one rule for the little people and a totally different rule to big wigs. Look at Prince Andrew he should be rotting in prison instead he's free to carry on abusing purely because he's royalty. When our government finally pays the subpostmasters their money back I guarentee it will be out of our taxes and not from the Post Office, they stole from those people and use it as their profit yet they lose nothing typical British Justice for you the UK is rotten to the core

[@gorgu08]

They really shat the bed when they decided to prosecute such a well educated, confident, articulate, determined and energetic human as Alan Bates, give him a massive payout and either put him in the post office or in the Lords where he can specialise in miscarriages of justice

[@cherryrotella3714]

Yes Mr Bates was never intimidated by them and so became a threat so they had to get rid of him

[@dixie5929]

Alan Bates is an absolute hero Davey is a Sir when it should be Sir Alan Bates for over 20 years of heroic determination

[@noelfleming3567]

👍👏👏

[@daviddowsett1658]

Alan was offered an OBE or CBE or something like that for which he refused and said he would only accept when the matter of compensation and criminal prosecutions against post office management had been competed ... what a dude!!!

[@janeday9148]

Ed Davey is a disgrace

[@thedr.feelgood]

​@@daviddowsett1658 What a bloke his is... Tenacious isn't in it... 20 yrs plus !!!

[@thedr.feelgood]

​@@janeday9148 Yes, appallingly ineffective - sums up his whole political career....

[@jbenn43457]

Suspend the bosses pay until the documents are released.

[@robinfoster7597]

or just arrest them and deny them bail as a "flight risk".

[@jamesskeoch6562]

They have already banked LOADS to feather their nests! Criminals the entire CORRUPT BOARD!

[@pauldickinson5316]

The FDA had the same issue releasing the Pf*zer trial data as they said it would take 75 years. That was until a group of professionals including Prof's and Dr's filed a lawsuit and the judge ordered the release within 8 months. Nothing to see here.

[@jbenn43457]

@mattbuddyMattBuddyGNN neither will "off with their heads". Just wishful thinking

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Post Office obfuscation. Should be jailed.

[@JelMain]

Deliberately. They were warned, deadlines set, and still. It's completely unfair on the witnesses, and cannot but be reflected in the Report's liminatory comments.

[@andrewgrillet5835]

There needs to be an investigation into "possible" fraud. The most likely reason for the Post Office management behaviour is that their boots were full of ill-gotten gains. Only another enquiry could possibly prove their guilt or innocence.

[@MrBoggins1234]

Not just PO leadership but Fujitsu - European leadership also.

[@user-rt2ri5ft5v]

The PO will have been instructed by government.

[@JelMain]

@@user-rt2ri5ft5v As seen in Kemi Badenoch's mishandling of Henry Staunton, If it wasn't for Crown Immunity, he'd have a prime case against her for malfeasance. As of now, they've lost the resource of experienced hands from the Corporate Sector, and given Cuymmings' assessment of the Civil Service and the public opinion of the Government, we're in a sorry state.

[@michaelhipperson1554]

Alan Bates remains so calm and polite after 23 years of hassle. A brilliant example of how to deal with cheats and liars. Hopefully he will be successful.

[@alexmac513]

I don't understand why the police haven't kicked the doors down and taken the documents they need. Then arrested the Post Office people that did this. People in the Post Office need to spend a time behind bars for this. If I as an individual did this I'd go to prison, I couldn't complain. Its undermining the police and the justice system if they don't go to prison.

[@robinfoster7597]

That's just for us plebs! Clearly, the UK has a two-tier justice system!

[@willmoore7582]

Probably because those responsible have friends, who have friends and right now they are getting rid of evidence and building their case for damage limitation.

[@roberthiggins6401]

The police are corporation's. They're as bent as the po. You can see them not respecting the true rule of law. They're only interested in motorists, assisting evictions etc.

[@redplanet7163]

They are too busy kicking down the doors of people who have an opinion on the islamicisation of Britain, for the "crime" of "hate speech."

[@elliottg.1954]

Probably because this corruption and appalling conspiracy carried on for decades, under the auspices of the government. It's a can of worms they don't really want to be fully opened. And after all, considering our hopeless police and our broken Justice system, the slimy executives at the centre of this Stalinist conspiracy can be reasonably confident they'll do no jail time.

[@heathermaich8966]

Post office executives need to go to jail

[@norfolkandchance9298]

Until Paula Vennells is sent to jail, justice will not be done.

[@Liberty_Freedom_Brotherhood]

Didn’t some of the postmasters commit suicide? Jail too soft for Vennels

[@roberthiggins6401]

I would think there are several people at least need to face justice. We've seen soooo many cover ups over the years. Water companies only ever face a fine and that fine gets passed on to you and I, no one ever faces justice. Remember the strangles song, no more heroes? Well we do have heroes in the form of whistle blowers, the heroes who have morals.

[@mirjamwillemsen900]

And some others, like Angela van den Bogerd

[@jonathanstone..]

Even those in charge today with these delays tactics. Its like they breed this behaviour in the heads of the post office

[@nathanio103]

Alan Bates is absolutely formidable! Such an incredible public speaker, so honest and genuine!

[@MyTv-]

The Post Office needs to be put into administration. To get to the root of it.

[@grantwallace1882]

I have hear some politician saying exactly your point.

[@MyTv-]

@@grantwallace1882 With that level of obstruction, it’s the obvious solution. I would trigger a deep revision of both the post office and the key people involved. This smells of corruption.

[@chuckoster8221]

It’s not the root,it’s the seed that grows into the root,and that is Tony Blair.He signed off the Horizon system,knowing,full well,it was faulty because Harriet Harman told him so.He started the ball rolling,then bankrupted the country.Notice,complete silence from the great interferer,the one that never misses an opportunity to poke his nose in.What a chance for the great mr fixit to come down from his ivory tower and save the world and blame the Conservatives for all of it.

[@jacksyful]

the po has no control by its sole shareholders-- the government!! that is wrong wrong wrong!!

[@andrewh2u]

We need to see Post Office executives and their lying lawyers and investigators serving jail time for this and heavy compensation for their victims and the families of lost victims.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Lawyers don't lie but are regularly lied to by their clients.

[@andrewh2u]

@@jjefferyworboys8138 Saying that Lawyers dont lie is never going to be plausible.

[@mikematthews2750]

I want to see that awful guy Whitaker in a cell with Big Brutus…

[@TheDMG45]

What makes me so angry about this is not just that it happened, its that no expense was spared when they were going after the sub-postmasters - the "justice" system happily threw hundreds of people in jail on incredibly flimsy cases. But then now when the shoe is on the other foot, it doesn't look like anyone is going to be held accountable at all except perhaps a few token resignations.

[@KiwiCatherineJemma]

I think the judges (where they are sitting, without a jury) should take at least SOME of the blame. When the entirety of the prosecution case is "Computer says "X" UK pounds has gone missing". Yet there is literally zero other corroborating evidence, and when an examination of the person's lifestyle shows NO "excess money" (NO flashy car or boat purchases, no expensive house, or gambling addictions etc). ...and the person in the dock is saying "I worked honestly, Maybe the computer system, made a mistake"... then the judges involved should at least have considered that possibility. Also any judge before accepting a "guilty plea" should have asked the defendant if they had had, independent legal advice beforehand.

[@TheDMG45]

​@@KiwiCatherineJemma Exactly! To me whether its through malice or cheer incompetence they are as bad as the post office for accepting such shoddy evidence and not caring that the accused victims don't even get to give their side of the story

[@chrisholland7367]

Let's hope this is more than just a circus

[@seanhaywood4597]

the post office get to spend £100 million of tax payers money defending the indefencable yet in the real world legal aid is means tested and since 2010 the tory party as cut the legal aid budgit by over 50% leaving the poor unable to get decent legal representation, and dont forget boris who managed to run up a legal aid bill of circa £300k for party gate inquiry paid for by the tax payer, its disgusting that the tax payer has to keep picking up the bill for this corruption,

[@johnjc4645]

But the woman in charge has said sorry and handed her medal back isn't that enough

[@peterjackson2625]

Nobody will ever believe a word from the Post Office. If I had any savings in the Post Office, I would withdraw them.

[@neilhobson3624]

It’s utterly atrocious what the Post Office has done , and is still is doing.

[@Haberdashery22]

Alan Bates is a hero for the truth and for seeking justice as he has. He should be knighted at the very least.

[@gtek8021]

Post Office ltd was able to be Judge, Jury and Executioner. Paula Vennells and all of the senior Executives, Post Office, Fujitsu and Ministers in the know HAVE TO GO TO PRISON for the damage done to innocent peoples lives and the lives that are sadly lost. How does Paula Vennells sleep at night! This is a perfect example that "POWER CORRUPTS AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY"

[@JohnnyMotel99]

You can bet a billion $$ that the main culprits have all their expensive lawyers beavering away for months if not years working up some impenetrable defence and probably any criminal defence will be funded by the PO.

[@ChrisM541]

...funded by the tax payer, unfortunately.

[@JohnnyMotel99]

@@ChrisM541 eventually

[@user-qc4mi1dw7n]

Absolutely disgusting behaviour by the Post Office.

[@ThisisnotTwitter]

Should not be possible. That post office CEO clearly does not care at all. Remove all involved from office. Give it back to the public ownership entirely where it always should have been and then start again.

[@rbnhd1144]

It all started with privatiaztion, who's decesion was that? Its big mistake for the British Public, Every basic service should be owned by the general public who use it, otherwise its for Profit, then your prices skyrocket and foreigners control you.

[@stephenbarrett8000]

Ed Davey has a Knighthood (as did Paula Vennels) and Alan Bates doesn't. That should tell you everything you need to know about the British Establishment.

[@p0ssiblypossiblynot557]

This case is a perfect illustration of 'The Banality of Evil"

[@alanhand503]

In other words the Post Office and Fujitsu are checking every document to make sure they don't hand over any incriminating evidence. All those senior Post Office and Fujitsu managers should be prosecuted and jailed, just for holding back evidence, but also be held accountable to pay compensation and jailed for manslaughter.

[@ritab8663]

Am I right in thinking that the PO passed over 73,000 documents out of millions in their keep, I wonder how much more are in the paperwork held back could be incriminating

[@janeday9148]

Alan Bates is amazing & helps to restore hope in humanity because the British publics confidence has been lost in the institutions of this Country

[@user-pq3jm5yc6y]

I have nothing but admiration for Mr Bates.

[@willienelsongonzalez4609]

….. so The Post Office contacted its insurer over the Horizon IT system and its own legal team said it’s only course of action was to instigate a massive cover up. Senior management listened to the lawyers and deliberately pursued a policy of secrecy, silence and scorched earth by blaming the Sub Posters and holding them accountable for the failures of Fujitsu and The Post Office.

[@bostonbikebits6539]

They bang on about wanting to comply but their actions show something completely different.

[@dave3130]

What a national hero. Showed true bulldog spirit 💪🏼

[@Truthseeker1515]

What state is Britain in!

[@pacman7959]

I blame it on the immigrants. Why? Because Farage told me.

[@RestoDesignsnando]

Wow what a great guy Alan Bates is, standing up against these people.

[@derekgillan7314]

Well done Sir! Post office bosses = jail. The more they obstruct the more jail time.

[@50_Pence]

It's late stage capitalism. It's what big business does and you can see it all over the place.

[@noelfleming3567]

Ruling d world 😢😢

[@pacman7959]

Late stage? Get buckled in mate. We still have the surprise of pensions to come.

[@user-zz9gn2dc3l]

Not capitalism/free market trading. It's fascism when the government are in bed with corporations - public private partnerships!!

[@maxxrenn]

Its a state owned company. Basically the opposite of capitalism.

[@pamjordan5281]

Unlike the PO employees Mr Bates has total recall 😊

[@angelogiacomazzi6699]

Someone in the Fuji organisation ended up pocketing the money. They need to be held accountable for the theft of this money. Details of the Investigation need to be made public.

[@mark.lawrence]

yes & maybe closer to home also

[@1styash]

It’s not only post office, most of the organisations in the UK 🇬🇧 do the same. They use their rough HR employees and lawyer who are pathological liars use laws as a mechanism of abuse the law itself.

[@kumasenlac5504]

Is it necessary to label them as pathological liars ? Surely it's just their job ?

[@notquiteoverthehill9576]

Post office boss Lies lies lies sack him & shut it down.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Why would you want to shut down the Post Office ? In many communities the Post Office is very important particularly to the elderly.

[@getheroutofthetruck]

They haven't finished deleting their hard drives or shredding the papers yet.

[@aroemaliuged4776]

Ed Davy on a digger Is that supposed to be ironic Honestly politicians are a different breed

[@howardosborne8647]

Davy is a man with no principles and zero credibility.

[@grayflight9424]

My question is are there any honest ones about

[@georgegently3026]

​@@grayflight9424no

[@kayoedowner6711]

@@georgegently3026To be fair James Arbuthnot has stood by the sub postmasters throughout.

[@kumasenlac5504]

Not breed - they're grown in a Petri dish....

[@abbiebrown2733]

Mr Bates has been treated shockingly. Alan Bates should sue the post office for 1 million pound

[@lewilewis3944]

He's meant to get at least that through the compensation scheme just for loss of earnings for the past 20 years. But guess what? Yup. The Post Office bosses are a bunch of thieves.

[@user-bl8zw4ol1j]

Well said they are THiEVES. Deal with the now through the courts at the PO funds

[@Hugo97HD]

​@@lewilewis3944 they are being protected. I don't know their names but I wouldn't be surprised if they are all family or friend with important labour and tory MPs. That's why it's taken so long to do something about it.

[@nineteen8486]

and more.........

[@Jackthesmilingblack]

At least.

[@garrybowers414]

They should be locked up for withholding evidence

[@findacarbuyer]

police needs to announce their involvement

[@ysgol3]

What a hero this man is. What he's done in the face of such corporate bullying is staggering. And the way the horrendous Ed Davey is only concerned with saving his own 'reputation' is disgusting. What a contrast between two men.

[@LordBikealot]

People in power should be held accountable. This whole f'ing situation is DISGUSTING!

[@VSmithy]

And it all happened because Ed Davey, among other Lib Dem members, supported David Cameron's privatization of the Post Office.

[@peterw4338]

It's not just the PO behaving like this; it's nearly every government department and council in the UK

[@VSmithy]

The Post Office was privatized by David Cameron, remember? That's why the fat cats who bought the shares could lie and make lots of money while refusing to investigate how Fujitsu's rubbish system was robbing the subpostmasters.

[@VSmithy]

The Post Office was privatized and sold off under David Cameron's austerity program.

[@me-un7vq]

All power to Alan bates and the wrongly convicted. We are stuck in a toxic tory twisted death spiral. God help us.

[@alisdairmclean8605]

Yes the Tories plus Starmer who was head of the CPS when some innocents were locked up and Ed Davey. Our political class.

[@noelfleming3567]

And d rich get richer who's paying d legal fees in these inquiries

[@SingWhileYouMay]

@@alisdairmclean8605 Starmer and his office had nothing to do with it. The post office itself brought the prosecutions. A wonderful aspect of UK law that such is possible.

[@howardosborne8647]

All the main political parties have had a hand in allowing this travesty to go on for many years longer than it should. None of them come out of this looking good.

[@TheArgieH]

​@@alisdairmclean8605Minor detail missing. The PO itself was empowered to bring prosecutions and did so, that's a gruesome part of the whole sorry story. If the CPS had oversight the scandal would likely have been exposed sooner. But the CPS was not involved as it had no locus, nor for that matter was Keir Starmer. Do keep up.

[@JohnJones-wo1bc]

This is a Magna Carta moment for our generation

[@MrGavinBoyd]

Will any of those responsible go to prison?

[@richardroulstone-roberts8598]

Some token sacrifice, I guess.

[@pacman7959]

Just the fall guys. Real culprits are too powerful to prosecute call me a conspiracy loon.

[@richardjns17]

Set up a gofundme for Private prosecutions,I bet they'd raise thousands.

[@CYCHIATRIC]

No executives will suffer consequences. They will go on to live long, happy and affluent lives. The system will not change. The victims will be discarded. This enquiry and its media coverage is theatre to placate the public. Everyone knows this.

[@Herblay63]

Alan Bates is a man of immense honour.... he could have really gone for Ed Davey but instead in his verbal evidence he claims not to remember very much about his meeting with Ed Davey except that he was disappointed with his response to his request for assistance in response to the developing scandal. The inquiry evidence included Ed Davey's briefing note for the meeting prepared by the civil service which is very clear, we know exactly what Ed Davey said in the meeting. Essentially... you won't get any help coming this way, you lot are on your own, don't want to know, don't care, so long. Bye.

[@aroemaliuged4776]

Call me over the top.. But this wanting to obey the rules Having an air of superiority against the low uns……… Reminds me of so many historical examples

[@viewfinder914]

Not over the top. What you are touching upon is British government culture. It is pervasive over time.

[@mikeharvey9811]

All my family worked for the post office, telephone exchange, TV Licences, Posties…..we loved the GPO , we bought postal orders, stamps, dog licences premium bonds, passports….all that love and trust gone. Barb

[@IlGODsGIRL]

Yes

[@IrfanAli-qp1gm]

Never think the Establishment will do right by the subposters. They will delay, obfuscate and do everything to stop compensation. Wasting public money on expensive Enquiry.

[@kitburns1665]

Disclose as little as possible. Privatization.

[@kumasenlac5504]

Nationalization led to such a wonderful blooming of openness and disclosure. Different hats, that's all...

[@njd2342]

British Justice is slower than a tortoise but at least the tortoise gets its destination eventually. Will British Justice?

[@ImNotReallyHereMCFC]

Take money from the government, you watch just fast "justice" can be

[@Dean256]

Once this is all done the post office needs disbanding. It cannot be disbanded now as that will be the post offices get out clause…

[@ftumschk]

The central management needs to be overhauled/replaced (if it isn't being done already), but the whole operation doesn't necessarily need to be disbanded.

[@Dean256]

@@ftumschk while they have this amount of power the post office needs to be completely overhauled. They have proven they have no morals and it’s a government institution. It needs disbanding and completely changed…

[@ftumschk]

@@Dean256 The language I chose was deliberately precise. It's the central management that needs overhauling, not the tens of thousands of good people who work in post office branches throughout the country.

[@Dean256]

@@ftumschk I’m sorry but the whole thing needs to change the post office as a single company across the UK cannot continue. I’m not sure how it needs to be changed but it certainly does. They have changed the management structure and it’s made no difference and this ability for them to be able to run investigations without police involvement needs stopping immediately… like tonight…

[@ftumschk]

​@@Dean256 Sort out the central management and IT suppliers by all means - they screwed this up, and they need to carry the can. However, they're not "the whole thing", and I think the thousands of dedicated subpostmasters and their staff have been "overhauled" quite enough for now, don't you?

[@grahamkearnon6682]

Read with the typical Public school accent, what a surprise!

[@janeday9148]

There has to be Criminal Charges including Corporate Manslaughter

[@markmcintyre9893]

Unfortunately such charges wouldn’t be made out in law

[@22Phantasm]

The PO very quickly were able to convict and jail so many innocent working class citizens. The police haven't even started to investigate the guilty, rich, pompous and powerful PO/Fujitsu/Govt officials who were involved in this travesty of justice. That says everything about classist, UK Injustice.

[@danburycollins]

Ed Davey hopes the inquiry holds people to account... Not people like him... But other people... But not him...

[@eddjordan2399]

Post office chief exec is a complete A WHOLE.

[@Cody-zd2ye]

What a refreshing human being and god bless him for his courage we need more like him.i wish someone like him would ask why the police didn't investigate the pandemic.bless Mr Bates

[@gnothiseauton8684]

He might want to announce that he’s not suicidal

[@XxTheAwokenOnexX]

It is unacceptable that the people who own the post office 👑 are not being held to account!

[@bobtudbury8505]

davey needs to resign and hand his money back

[@jacksyful]

the executives have got to go --to jail for a long time!!

[@charlesflouvat1829]

Salting the ground for labour, 🤔

[@noelfleming3567]

Definitely going to be a shitshow after d election

[@steveg7718]

What sentence is appropriate for wrecking peoples lives, making them fight all these years for justice, and even now still covering up and slowing down the process... Beyond belief.

[@davidcolin6519]

This enquiry demanded these documents literally YEARS ago, yet they're still dragging their ffet. "Remarkable" just doesn't come close to how egregious this is.

[@ftumschk]

4:26 I thought that was a typo, but there really is a legal firm called "Womble Bond Dickinson". It's nice to see that the Wombles have progressed from picking up litter to picking up litigation.

[@fatbelly27]

Making good use of the things that they find...

[@becmiberserker]

Or picking up litter to becoming it!

[@TheDMG45]

The name's Bond. Womble Bond.

[@davidmansfield9167]

Undermining public confidence in national institutions is a grave mistake with long term implications for society. Prison terms must result.

[@dianerichardson3061]

If they don't come up with the proof or documents they should automatically be found guilty.

[@rachelabbott9393]

Go Alan Bates! I am sure EVERYONE involved and more are on Mr Bates and the sub post masters and mistresses side 100%

[@kumasenlac5504]

Not so - the hyphae are even now destroying or losing evidence...

[@getsorted0185]

What an absolute hero Alan bates is what do these people think they were doing ruining all these lives appalling

[@hickster222]

Life in the clink for everyone involved in this scandal. No chance of parole.

[@alfieakaronaldog]

Paula Vennels will have a bit of a dilemma having to swear an oath to tell the truth if she is as godly as she makes out 😂

[@Orwic1]

I’ve known a number of people who claimed to be christians. Some really were: charitable, empathetic, kindly and overall good people, always willing to help others (I met them in charity work I was involved with). But a few fell below that standard by quite a margin 😢

[@happytravelling]

Mr. Bates should go into politics. Being an MP would be appropriate.

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

At the age of 70 why would you wish this upon him ?

[@ilokivi]

Surprised that the public inquiry hasn't yet instructed bailiffs to enter PO premises and seize documents, so that the inquiry can get to the bottom of this promptly. Justice delayed is justice denied.

[@kumasenlac5504]

What documents ? You don't think they still exist do you ?

[@adrianlloyd6403]

Andrew Parsons....lawyer.......acts and behaves like a lawyer.And lawyers wonder why so many people despise them.

[@123JWJWJW]

Recently started the program on PBS television in the US. Absolutely shocked and abhorred that after all these years that no justice has been made for these people. How could such corrupt and despicable people still be able to walk free all these years later? It's horrible to try and grasp that something such as this could continue on and on without justice for these poor souls. Blessings and strength to you to continue in the good fight!

[@user-ck8zu9tm1o]

I am absolutely flummoxed by all of this although, I shouldn't be. Allan Bates is the right man for fight, he is measured, intelligent, articulate and able to co-ordinate those similarly affected . Good on you Mr Bates. 👏

[@TheStevenWhiting]

And just think. He's of the era of "Don't rock the boat", its what I've heard in the past. If he didn't rock the boat and rock it for decades, then none of it would of come out.

[@KiwiCatherineJemma]

I think the judges (where they are sitting, without a jury) should take at least SOME of the blame. When the entirety of the prosecution case is "Computer says "X" UK pounds has gone missing". Yet there is literally zero other corroborating evidence, and when an examination of the person's lifestyle shows NO "excess money" (NO flashy car or boat purchases, no expensive house, or gambling addictions etc). ...and the person in the dock is saying "I worked honestly, Maybe the computer system, made a mistake"... then the judges involved should at least have considered that possibility. Also any judge before accepting a "guilty plea" should have asked the defendant if they had had, independent legal advice beforehand.

[@jonathand.wieand6119]

What about also holding Fujitsu responsible for for their role in this mess? Is anyone looking into that?

[@ataxpayer723]

The UK Govt needs to sack the current CEO and the entire board, then install a Commissioner.

[@richardsilljohnson6377]

Maybe I miss something but Horizon is Fujitsu, they seem to be getting off scot free. Sue them as well as the PO

[@richardroulstone-roberts8598]

You can see the final inquiry findings, not white washed , but can well imagine its recommendations totally ignored , Hope Mr Bates follows through, and drags Post office, and fujitsu to court.

[@abbiebrown2733]

Sir Ed Davey should resign

[@user-bl8zw4ol1j]

He should be in jail with the rest of the useless management

[@zetectic7968]

Yes so convenient to scapegoat him & ignore the the Tory PO ministers that also did nothing. You must be a Conservative voter.

[@bluesmaster9896]

@@zetectic7968 Sack the whole applecart , they're all on the make .

[@rogerroger5255]

@@zetectic7968 This started with Blair and a Labour administration. Then continued with Lib Dem people in positions of authority,. Of course people like you are blinkered.

[@djslybacon]

@@bluesmaster9896good - go out and vote then - green or an independent you agree with you - if you don’t like the lot or the country doesn’t - stop moaning and vote ! Make meaningful change

[@Fairplay-ed6rs]

The whole country wants Paula Vennells jailed and rightly so, but all the rest, from the branch administrators, the fascist investigators, the Post Office board, the accountants, the Fujitsu operators who made the adjustments, the civil servants and the government ministers (Mandelson prince of the dark arts) also must face a jury trial. There will probably be a need to build a new prison to house them all. Lets also not forget the National Federation of Sub postmasters who are paid by the Post Office and advised their members to just pay up. Shut it down and give the Sub postmasters trade union rights.

[@DIYTinkerer]

Everyone wants Justice for what was done, those in charge need long jail sentences, but we all know that will never happen. 😞

[@longsighted]

As an electronics engineer, computer scientist, also trained in commercial matters, I ask where did the digital numbers go (digital numbers = money) GO from the sub post offices returns. Who benefitted by the exercise of changing the digital data being transmitted the the central computer memory. If the digits/money was just discarded then for what purpose was the exercise done. There are a lot of questions not being asked that have a science physical basis. Computer systems carrying and storing financial data are just as physical as the old paper systems. At the moment this whole sad fiasco does not make sense, what was the purpose of altering the raw data returns from the sub post offices before final storage in computer memory. WHO BENEFITED BY THE COMPLETE EXERCISE.

[@ericolthwaite8923]

Where are the police?

[@ChrisM541]

The justice system is deeply implicated in this too - they are the ones who convicted these postmasters, and the ones who deliberately buried their heads in the face of the obvious pattern developing. They KNEW 'something' wasn't right!

[@kumasenlac5504]

The what ? Who is this police you speak of ?

[@stellavarley4130]

Is it any wonder people take the law into their own hands, when justice isn't carried out.

[@terrystephens1102]

As a retired Executive of our local Post Office (Australia Post), I am appalled at the culture of the POL management. Those responsible for this horrendous travesty of justice need to be prosecuted. This scandal is every bit as bad as our Robodebt case where social security recipients were pursued for erroneously calculated over-payments.

[@normhanson981]

Wonderful man , this country has had it , people in senior positions have so much to answer for.

[@Twofiddymill]

The govt and PO will not be held accountable…..even if they have a payout….no person will be held accountable….that’s how the law works. A law for them and a law for the people!!

[@johnbaker2]

It’s not really about compensation it’s about the people at the top of the post office being brought to account and being punished for their lies and wrongdoings. Paula Vennells should be in prison

[@mickpeters4457]

Alan Bates should be knighted, Paula Vennells and Co locked up for life. 🤬

[@michaeltownsend1719]

Burying their head in documents in the hope that everything goes away