Post Office Inquiry | Ed Davey: 'I Was Unaware Of Post Office Prosecutions Against Sub-Postmasters'

Sir Ed Davey has told the Horizon Post Office inquiry that he was 'not aware' that the Post Office was prosecuting sub-postmasters whilst he was postal affairs Minister.
Davey argued that it was not his role as minister to get involved in the day-to-day running of the Post Office, and his focus in cabinet was to ensure there were no more closures of post offices and to maintain the network.
The leader of the Liberal Democrats is being crossed examined by Jason Beer KC.
Credit: Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
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#postoffice #postofficeinquiry #alanbates

[@woodenseagull1899]

What an embarrassment... This interview should have been conducted before the election took place?.

[@pippipster6767]

Would have made no difference … Lilly livered the lot of them.

[@admiralbillom7559]

quite right

[@davidbrear8642]

Ed's defence appears to be that he was utterly useless.

[@AgNoSticPope666]

Just like all the rest. Astonishing how intelligent and smart people can't remember anything and if they do, it was someone else.

[@davidbrear8642]

@@AgNoSticPope666 As far as I can see, by their own admissions of ignorance and incompetence, all these deaf, dumb and blind former Ministers , and Post Office types, have been receiving their salaries under false pretences.

[@pippipster6767]

Which he is … ‘sir’ 😂😂

[@jasonkingshott2971]

Corrupt!

[@aardvarkrevolution5764]

@@AgNoSticPope666Are you suggesting Ed Davey is either intelligent or competent?

[@jeremyroberts39]

He had no idea of what was going on.......just take the money and add to your CV...... disgusting 😮

[@Robert-ux5yk]

Maybe politicians might stop this epidemic of glibness, stop taking prompts from the media & do their fecking jobs... Coming to lots more labour politicians in the near future

[@johns5558]

Normal (not cool no)

[@sheilawhenham8209]

Useless.,let the postmasters down ... disgusting that he is defending his part in it . Awful man and all who voted for him 😡😠.

[@paulmason5350]

Davey is shameful. The first to call on MP’s to resign whenever a failing is identified but hangs onto his own job throughout this scandal and still refuses to recognise his part in letting this disaster continue for years under his watch. Refused to see Alan Bates. An out and out liar who should be jailed for failing in his duties as a minister.

[@alanfrost4661]

100%

[@frankcarter6427]

he came over as a shady liar didn't he , esp after the mauling by the core participant briefs

[@Jdd-d1y]

I'm still waiting to see someone being brought to account for telling sub-postmasters that "they were the only one".... There were hundreds of sub-postmasters but only a handful of P.O. investigators.... Therefore it would be in the realms of possibility that one individual investigator had told more than one sub-postmaster that "they were the only one".... Surely it can't be too hard to locate 2 or more sub-postmasters who were told by the same investigator that "they were the only one".... This could be an easily proven case for criminal prosecution wouldn't it.....???

[@andydudley1775]

the call center is a clear show of this was premeditated and there fore this should be a murder one case im sure youtube will not allow this comment to stand long when they advertice credit cards for the PO.

[@wayneeldred8149]

None of the managers and ministers seem to be aware of anything, what do they actually do for what they get paid?

[@mandeepsingh-tp6kd]

I’d question if he’s capable of any job given to him?

[@tenkloosterherman]

Street sweeper, provided he is properly supervised.

[@highmyope-ps2by]

I would employ him to clean public lavatories.

[@mandeepsingh-tp6kd]

@@tenkloosterherman I’m not entirely convinced he can undertake such a meaningful task? I’m more confident of the broom. 🤣

[@malcolmstonebridge7933]

@@tenkloosterherman He'd bodge that as well, just look at his expression at 0:52 - would you trust that?

[@JohnBlackford-l7p]

Paid for signing letters not reading them 🤡

[@aileenjohnson1508]

Yes a man in his position should not take anything he signs as ' Gospel 'how often are we citizens advised to read all small print etc.he was in goverment all he could be bothered about was his salary and status, shameful he should go to prison

[@emilybeaumont8364]

Take that title Sir away! He’s a crooked Pratt

[@christophervickers7583]

He's a pathetic liar​@@conradharcourt8263

[@pippipster6767]

Sir Ed Shady.

[@DrawnInk1]

Asleep at the wheel of his job, the ineptitude of this minister is startling, thank goodness he’s getting a public salary with pension to follow. Glad he enjoyed his election campaign by going to water parks. We are in good hands with the high calibre of people in office.

[@cadelepski5161]

Look at that nameplate. "Right, honourable, Sir. What a joke!

[@ragemachine4991]

Yet another overpaid Minister who didn't give a damn about sub-postmasters, shame on you Davey!

[@lightningtwostrikes4317]

He was all over Boris Johnson when he was caught lying. So if the cap fits wear it

[@keithbrown6030]

I can’t be held accountable because I spent my entire time as a minister playing in the park on slides and the swings, I mean look at me I’m pathetic.

[@kenhardy8405]

Lord Arbuthnot championed the Sub postmasters whilst Ed Davey ignored their pleas for help.

[@t.dmytryshyn2615]

How on earth can you be a Cabinet Minster and not know the basic workings of the organization that you are in charge of? I prided myself throughout my working life to do the very best job I could for my clients. That was not the case for the Cabinet Ministers who were in charge of the PO.

[@PhilSutton-m9o]

Has he ever told the truth ?

[@Zaf2010]

Has any member of the government ever told the truth?!

[@mickraynor7957]

I very much doubt it.

[@neilchapman5145]

Our survey says “NO”

[@Daniel-deMerrivale]

Eddy Davey showing us all very clearly exactly how appallingly bad the old political class is at any given job, but of so good at blaming all others for their so obvious failings and short falls. What an absolute dangerous non entity, unemployable in the real world.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

MPs get elected by the people. Those MPs vary greatly in intellectual capacity. The brighter ones are generally promoted to ministers, the less bright remain as backbenchers. But sometimes they too get ministerial jobs as a reward for loyalty (Therese Coffey and Nadine Dorries were excellent examples of that).

[@Daniel-deMerrivale]

@@buzzukfiftythree And sometimes those entirely unsuitable types (Davey, Johnson, Truss, Starmer, Gething, Sturgeon, Hunt, Sunak, Lammy, Rayner, Millipede, Drakeford, Moran, Stewart - the list is endless) are actually moronically beyond stupid but still manage to (somehow) get the absolute top jobs (then found out and disposed, but we are expected to move on and forget). Not going to happen.

[@andydudley1775]

must be watch they teach them at eton .this is how you set a preb up to take the blame .dont worry the judge is one of us.

[@sharonlyon6512]

His position he's in ,and was unaware..... Unbelievable

[@jimconway5921]

Poor old Ed Davey, another victim or 🤡 - compensation or accountability - looks like he's going for the money i.e. what he did in the past Salary, expenses and of course all the additional Consultancy Fee's Cry's out for others to be sacked, taken to court, resignation from Public Office, 'Gong's taken away from them BUT in his case its a case of Ooops I was misled, cannot remember, it was someone else - he's totally incompetent and not honourable.

[@gherkamum]

Paula Venells must pay back £2.2 Million she received in a bonus.......She failed 100%.

[@LBisgrove]

He's happy to keep his snout in the trough, has no self respect and unfortunately remains a disgrace to a political system. He needs to do the honourable thing. But you need honour for that!!

[@pippipster6767]

He’s as fake as a £6 note. Specialises in the puppy dog face 🐶

[@andydudley1775]

correct you have to understand the meaning of the word first eton does not know it .

[@kenhardy8405]

His Defence, I don’t remember, I can’t recall, I’m very sorry, I signed letters without reading them. He totally ignored the Sub postmasters when they really needed his support, but there was nothing in it for him. Zero credibility zero integrity absolutely disgraceful.

[@T1M6]

I watched the questioning this afternoon...his answers were truly appalling. Apparently back office staff have a lot to answer for ...my words not his. He doesn't read everything he signs - that's appalling.

[@adrianvassallo5630]

Davey is trying to make us believe that he never new what was going on till the PO inquiry started unbelievable

[@parshakamarsh]

Another witness who had no idea what was going on....absolutely amazing this outbreak of mass amnesia

[@duncansteward4331]

In 2016 New Years Honours List he was knighted for political and public service; what service is this i ask? Given he knows nothing, how much was he paid when working for the Post Office?

[@custossecretus5737]

One would almost suspect that plans had been made to privatise the Royal Mail and they had to keep the Horizon affair quiet to hold the share price, which was pretty low to start with. Thanks Mr Cable, get him in on trial. Horizon program in use 1999 Post master convictions 1999-2015 Postal services act 2011 Royal Mail group split in 2012 Royal Mail privatised 2013-2015 Fujitsu sue the NHS for £700m for its own IT contract failures 2014 Vincent Cable knighted 2015 Alwen Lyon’s PO secretary OBE 2018 Paula Vennels CEO CBE 2019

[@aardvarkrevolution5764]

Haahaa that’s very cynical 🤣😂👏👏

[@boondoggle6]

What was the point of him being Post Office Minister? He did absolutely nothing, innocent people were sent to prison on his watch.

[@adriancoe2328]

You Really Let Everybody Down!! Bloody Shocking

[@greenwoodng]

Didn't mention that he was a consultant to one of the legal firms representing the post office against the sub postmaster. £7000 a month retainer for 6 hours work. Took £275,000 in fees.

[@haydenharris3059]

He must have been minister for trees and fluffy white rabbits. 😮

[@LBisgrove]

What the hell did he do??

[@richardfranklin9313]

Took money

[@pippipster6767]

Sweet FA

[@mickraynor7957]

Signed stuff.

[@malcolmstonebridge7933]

@@mickraynor7957 Without reading it apparently (but that's alright because he says that's what you do in government).

[@alanhodgson8899]

He’s been so well trained by his lawyers - open body language, remorseful look, eye contact and be seen as a reasonable man

[@highmyope-ps2by]

"Don't be nasty to me!"

[@robertsmuggles6871]

He just needed to watch Paula's performance - a masterclass.

[@grahampritchard5284]

Is it not time he resigned?

[@highmyope-ps2by]

A cabinet minister should MAKE his or herself aware of every aspect of their particular portfolio.

[@Ettrick8]

To be fair the Minister has to rely on the information provided by the Civil Service and post office managers. If they lie or are mistaken, they are goosed

[@richardhumphrys7907]

Sounds like the Post Office said too MP’s, don’t get involved. We got this. So no Parliamentary investigation took place in depth.

[@Jez2008UK]

This guy comes across as a complete and utter cad, bluffing and blagging his way through life. I do not believe a word he says, he's only out for himself. No doubt he'll be made a Lord someday.....

[@LeonRamkumar]

An alibi of ineptitude

[@Karachi3-h2o]

A zebra has stripes and he denies that

[@totallyclips]

mislead, misinformed or mistaken but never wrong

[@andyniblock43]

Just answer the goddam questions Davey.

[@christopherbriscoe8665]

Good point, you have a detective , investigative mind.

[@pipblack5345]

Lib dems will go down the pan if they don't get resignation from him he's a dam disgrace to the party

[@tenkloosterherman]

"Nothing to do with me, Guv. I was only there to cash my paychecks."

[@alexdewar6584]

The money was just resting in my account.

[@alecgraham8752]

Had a good long rest there Ted!

[@christopherbriscoe8665]

How much money did he take from the P.O. Solicitors for representing them?

[@garethjones6566]

I would never sign a letter without reading it and I am not a Minister. What a sad state of affairs. Are you telling fibs Ed ? Or is it another case of Post office amnesia?.

[@Pierremontquaker03]

Ed Davey runs on a ticket that he is different and has integrity- this shows he is a LIAR.

[@JeanRinger]

Davey got nearly a quarter of a million from PostOffice

[@telmas7183]

£275,000 we are told!

[@michaelwilliams3232]

Watch Ed's blinking after most statements of ignorance, revealing.

[@DennisHughes-h8b]

I wonder what he means he had a vast amount of work? To say that must indicate that he couldn’t handle the job.

[@Robert-ux5yk]

Ed Davey suddenly realises why he was paid so much money

[@williamsafari6437]

a highly paid minister WHO KNEW FK ALL BUT STILL TOOK HIS WAGES

[@IbnBahtuta]

Wages? rofl

[@michaelshore2300]

He must have been the only person in England unaware

[@timbrown4576]

Dear me Ed, dear me.

[@davidjames9400]

I didn't know anything I m just the minister who oversaw the post office

[@raybede]

Like so many I have watched at this enquiry they, as did this man, just wanted an easy ride and at no time was the poor SPM considered as an innocent individual. contrary to our laws of being innocent until proven guilty.

[@colinmiller8361]

Is this the same Ed Davey that laughed and joked all the way thru the election campaign making a fool out of himself. Not laughing now is he?

[@ChrisGradyPhoto]

At best incompetent at worst a total liar.

[@johnparnell8571]

Innocent people went to prison because of this man's breath-taking failure to properly act as Minister in charge. His knighthood was for political and public service. Really?

[@JeanRinger]

Wavey Davey lies again he needs to Resign

[@tewman4943]

It's all weasal words from Davey. The truth of the matter is, he wasn't doing the job he was paid to do! He and Mcfadden should resign from government!

[@tonyalways7174]

Davey is a bare faced liar.

[@cal593]

Dodgy Davey

[@pemj7360]

I know he is lying. His lips are moving.

[@bobsander4589]

I know nothing! Neither right or honorable.

[@johns5558]

What a joke... "I didnt know."

[@nickscott6139]

How was this man ever given a knighthood?

[@augustseptember3503]

So obvious he is telling a pack of lies!

[@DaveCorbey]

This man is a disgrace.

[@pianoman6639]

And he now sits in the commons ?

[@gherkamum]

Ed Was Useless.....

[@alanwilson4248]

You couldn't make it up. Absolutely shocking.

[@richardfroud8970]

Payed for doing nothing.

[@stephenharfield781]

How could he be unaware? He helped to prosecute them! He should be in prison himself!

[@jc238]

Why is he signing letters prepared by and for POL without verification of facts. He should be sued at the very least.

[@hughbaker4997]

The level of incompetence is staggering and people voted for him. His body language waving his hands aboutshows how uncomfortable he is.

[@TabsT-vy5jy]

He got paid to sign papers and back the post office

[@jimkinsey4924]

He knew it was just in the too hard bucket what a useless politician

[@DennisHughes-h8b]

He is on a good earner for being a party leader alone.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Historically, ministers of state have relied far too heavily on the competence and/or honesty of their civil servants. It is wrong to presume all senior civil servants are that. My experience of 26 years in the civil service led me to believe that most civil servants are honest, but not all are competent. But Ed Davey is culpable to some extent for not asking the right questions of the Post Office. By 2010 when the Tory/Lib Dem coalition came to power, the Horizon system was known to be faulty.

[@FredSmart-b7z]

He’s not dancing and singing now! Shameful.

[@JohnBlackford-l7p]

Joke !! I wonder how much he was getting paid in total?

[@telmas7183]

After winning back his seat in 2017, he pocketed £275,000 from Herbert Smith Freehills (A city law firm his Brother had been a partner of) in addition to his parliamentary salary, before quitting in January 2022 after criticism of MPs having second jobs.

[@billmcle]

How could the minster not know the pol was investigating and prosecuting? That was hig job. Why isn't he being forced to pay back his wages?

[@grahamsclater9988]

He appears to be lying................

[@AlanBurgess-v6l]

Another self-entitled person with amnesia. His constituents beware

[@garybarnett2756]

How in gods name did this man get a knighthood.

[@hillaryclinton1314]

Money

[@Robert-ux5yk]

Remembers some stuff in detail, but seems to forget other stuff...getting a rather easy facilitated ride here

[@michaelmcginley7930]

Wonder if he was aware thevpost office sold stamps

[@joanneramsden1514]

The problem is this has been going on for so many years now. That people in government, post office ect have put it behind them. While subpostmasters have suffered for 20 years

[@mcollins9676]

An expert it bull shit

[@MRJERRYCURTIN]

Lot of time with his lawyers to come uo with that translucent tosh

[@SC-g2b]

Could we please start by confirming ur name I have no idea😂

[@garybeak159]

A minister for the Post Office who actually doesn’t appear to be responsible for anything………not the post office, not the ministry civil servants, not the post office executive, nothing. How much do you get paid to sign papers put in front of you.

[@sdrest]

Jeeez, God help us.

[@markherzog9484]

Classic ‘not me chief’ testimony, by someone who, like a cat with a mouse, sought power, but doesn’t know what to do when they’ve got it….Sir Ed nice but dim Davey……..

[@Neil-jv9il]

Another MP who has to sit face down because he hasn't mastered reverse yet

[@joescott54]

LIAR !!!

[@johannesnicolaas]

I don't know, I can not remember, I don't care...... (and now the crocodile tears start flowing)