Post Office inquiry: Former CEO didn’t like word "bugs" to refer to faulty IT system

The Inquiry into the Post Office scandal has heard that former chief executive Paula Vennells did not want to use the word "bugs" to refer to the faulty Horizon IT system, preferring "exceptions" instead.
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Giving evidence today was the Post Office's former lead internal lawyer - who said she believed her bosses had expected her to manipulate a review into Horizon by forensic investigators.
We watched her testimony with one wrongly-jailed subpostmaster.
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[@sbeasley1785]

These people at the top of the Post Office KNEW these were innocent working men and women going to prison - EVERY one of them need to GO TO JAIL.

[@noelfleming3567]

Fully agree ❤

[@speedboostr]

I think If indeed they knew then lock them up.

[@RBH614]

Disgusting that it went on and in the PO. People’s lives ruined?

[@eisbeinGermany]

of which we all know will not happen,these "words of" we or I am so sorry and apologize will " be used as mitigating excuses not to prosecute them, it will be said it was just a fault,

[@h.malik.s]

Absolutely!!! It’s disgusting how they’ve ruined people’s lives

[@bartofilms]

“It’s still obviously very emotional…”. Are you kidding, lady? - He spent years in prison, as an innocent man, wrongly convicted. I hope his legal settlement pay out from the State is large.

[@bettyboop5177]

Agreed 🙏

[@Tolpuddle581]

Venells and her cronies like Angela van den Boberg are emotionless psychopaths I don't know how they sleep.

[@Tolpuddle581]

Venells and her cronies like Angela van den Boberg are emotionless psychopaths I don't know how they sleep.

[@Tolpuddle581]

Venells and her cronies are emotionless psychopaths I don't know how they sleep.

[@dombo813]

Why should the state pay? The taxpayers had no hand in this. The executives responsible for it should pay out of their own estates.

[@DavidJohnson-yg8qm]

I want this woman jailed, SORRY!!!!

[@lindacraig7486]

AGREED!!!

[@stuart7245]

That woman is only sorry because she got caught.

[@ralphplumb7027]

What empty words from these criminals!!… jail them all… Vennels first!

[@brucetutton7897]

Sorry you got caught. 20 years jail should fix that.

[@kevinharker1840]

and how about taking every penny of them too.

[@noelfleming3567]

Definitely strip them of all assets

[@dismalfist]

Vennells didn’t like the word "bugs"?? Does she like the words "bankrupt" and "prison" better maybe?

[@Nigelfarij]

Standard for a software house to be fair. Most refer to bugs as 'issues'.

[@Tumleren]

Honestly can't wait until she's called in at the end of May

[@0xDEAFF00D]

@@Nigelfarij everyone in the business calls them bugs. The only thing that changes is how bad the bug is, in which case you can refer to it as an "egregious" bug or "minor" bug or whatever. Yes, we temper the language when vendors and customers are in the conversation. But among peers, they are bugs, plain and simple. Complaining when your clientele peers (those "sub" postmasters) refers to them as bugs smacks of classism and doublespeak. My feelings are, don't tell me speaking plainly is not allowed, and I won't call your product a steaming pile of shite.

[@MichaelEnright-gk6yc]

Looks like she was involved even before becoming CEO. Vennells and Fujitsu bosses should all spend the combined time of all her victims in prison.

[@maigepresents5840]

​@@0xDEAFF00Da bug is a malfunction in software... this is either a 'design failure' or a defect...

[@Erasuretribute]

Ruined peoples lives. Imagine all that stress. Poor people

[@Tolpuddle581]

Horrendous. Putting innocent people through this nightmare is disgusting at last count 18 of them died before the truth finally came out.

[@michaelward2271]

Harjinder is my neighbour and i know how all his family suffered through this awful miscarriage of justice ….jail the bosses and compensate Harjinder and his colleagues

[@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904]

Yes! 15 years should equal 15 million…times 3 for the years in prison.

[@bettyboop5177]

All these hardworking decent people have been treat so appalling, it's just beyond disgusting. My heart goes out to ALL of them 🙏

[@aliasukvideo]

No, you're not sorry! You're sorry that this outrageously despicable event has finally seen the light of day! I wonder whether those guilty, they, too, will face imprisonment as they have done to oh so many employees!

[@noelfleming3567]

If there's law they must be prosecuted they were all involved in d set up

[@AlexaJane9091]

Yes and they'll actually BE guilty, unlike the poor subpostmasters.

[@SpiritDestiny]

Bless him, both of them. All of them😔

[@plasminus]

Shocking and terrible ordeal these poor people went through. The heads of the Post Office must serve jail time.

[@dazens1]

just expect Vennells to be diagnosed with early onset alzheimers anytime soon as a way to worm out of a criminal court case. look at the play-acting lord janner did in the child abuse allegations went to court saying "oh you have it nicely decorated in here" acting as if he didnt know what day it was, where he was, or who he was.

[@drmahaCroc9164]

She has a criminal mind to manipulate the truth and part of the team to steal from SPM. She can apologise from the prison.

[@kevinharker1840]

Prison NOW!

[@tramdr]

Dryest apology I ever heard.

[@0xDEAFF00D]

Odd how all these rich professionals and executives are now _so_ sorry.

[@Tolpuddle581]

Not 'professionals' just entitled self serving parasites and sociopaths.

[@AlexaJane9091]

And seemingly having terrible memory problems.

[@MrGavinBoyd]

Will any of those responsible go to prison?

[@scotttait2197]

Unlikely

[@fireskycam9889]

Disgusting. They’re only sorry now because they’re all going to be held accountable

[@Dinadino994]

Terrible scandal I hope they delve into the carers allowance mess up . I’m one of them along with council mistaking my identity & doing nothing about the thousands I’ve paid back that they want again . Ruined my life

[@rockartistet]

Compensation of several million each. Say 6 million each is required those from horizon and post office need jail time

[@robertfitzjohn4755]

Bear in mind it's the taxpayer who's funding the compensation. The victims deserve fair compensation, but not millions (which would take funding away from other areas paid for through our taxes). Some years ago I was part of a group owed compensation by the Government. We were given less than a quarter of the calculated amount, because the Government said the taxpayers couldn't afford more than that.

[@LuckySoaringTiger]

​@@robertfitzjohn4755sure. But suddenly if they have a problem there are tons of funds.

[@rockartistet]

Yet we can afford billions for wars .. yes we can afford to compensate then even if it’s the taxpayers

[@BowserLucaTheThird]

Senior staff on stupid salary making sure they don't end up on the block for the faulty system, so blame the Key Workers.

[@capri2673]

Who would have thought the Post Office would be such a nasty bunch?

[@damiankelly1778]

These people need to go to jail!

[@adenwellsmith6908]

It's not a bug, its a feature.

[@PD-cn7xd]

What a lot of bullshit.They knew about system faults for years and did nothing. Management rubbish. It clearly showing now what management running this business thinking about hard working people. If there was any justice they should be jailed.

[@user-sr1yx3cb3v]

Not enough!!!

[@kevingrainger2530]

Go to jail.

[@MichaelEnright-gk6yc]

My heart goes out to these innocent victims

[@lizrigby-jones3700]

Horrendous! nightmare that affected the post masters for life. Justice needs to be served.

[@johngorton-qu9xn]

More fingers pointing at vennells

[@pauline608]

Shame on her ,she should go to prison .

[@philstanton231]

Lies - you have no idea, NO IDEA, what you did to these people

[@Mike_5]

How on earth is Vennells still part of her local Church of Fraud ?!

[@Tolpuddle581]

Because organised religion is in many ways a criminal cult protecting their own, even a sociopath like Vennells.

[@Tolpuddle581]

They're protecting a sociopath.

[@philhart4849]

I see this as a horrendous example of "a fish rots from the head".

[@waynesilverman3048]

She's looks more guilty in the photo

[@plunder1956]

Senior Post Office Management MUST go on trial & go to prison for perverting the course of justice. No senior management must ever think that THEY are simply immune again.

[@adriandcruz188]

Instead of apologising stop the runaroind and admit what was wrong

[@billgreen576]

The sub postmasters were screened to the nth degree for honesty and integrity before getting the job. Apparently not so the executives at the PO.

[@DavePocklington]

Apologies are not good enough. They hounded innocent people, whilst all the evidence points to them knowing it was their computer system at fault. Time to start serving sentences, like the ones served by innocent people they framed rather than admit their computer system was garbage.

[@davidjames2083]

*Will there ever be a bottom to this sordid barrel of cruelty, incompetence, greed, and corruption?!* 😠😡🤬

[@mrechelon7051]

I am sooo sorry...that we got caught....

[@gherkamum]

They know it was all wrong but did nothing, still no empathy or shame…..They all look guilty

[@SiPhillipson]

Whilst she isn't blameless in this saga, the editing of yesterday's proceedings does maybe paint her in a slightly unfair light. Vennells threw her under the bus for letting Second Sight work independently and at one point accused her or letting her responsibilities as a lawyer override her loyalty to the business. I think that had she been supported, we may have got to the truth a decade ago.

[@citizensnid3490]

These high ups in Post Office should be sent to jail

[@mrechelon7051]

Vennels needs to lose her liberty unymtil she dies in prison. No pension. Take back the proceeds of crime. Her house, and for all the others complicit.

[@syedhussnain7166]

What a terrible mistake, apologies not enough at all, no way. Shame on this system and the people responsible 😡😡😡

[@BarryR.]

She should be in jail A totally purjured individual who deserves nothing but scorn

[@judewestburner]

I hate the vacuous apologies which sound like they're apologising for being hit with a hurricane or something outside of control. These actual people screwed over the post masters willingly with intention. All they had to do to prevent this was to NOT do that

[@LincolnTank-StillOnTheSprue]

False apologies.....done at the behest of their briefs to offset potential legal action by showing remorse

[@eljay5746]

Her apology did not say I am sorry for causing your pain suffering.

[@wolcek]

The apologies issued because of the fear that everything came out, is just a continuation of a cover-up. She just can't stop being her manipulating self.

[@flemwad]

I suggest Susan Crichton needs to serve some time

[@GaneshJU]

Paula was wrong to ask SS to look for systemic issues. She is pre-determining the result. She should have asked to review the software and identify the root cause of the issues that arose for the SPMs.

[@carrier411]

why apologise now, indeed. what a sham.

[@liamspalding2537]

I am so angry, FUJITSU also NEEDS to be held accountable. Let’s start a petition!

[@confusedgerbil1923]

Am I the only one that gets even more angry at the token 'sorry' from these merciless bureaucrats.

[@IdkG7]

Insane

[@dougaltolan3017]

They weren't bugs, they were features. Features that allowed her and her cohort to extort the life savings out of the sub-post-masters

[@sleekitwan]

Unfortunately, there is no real ‘fix’ for the damage that the ordeal of investigation, court hearings, verdicts, jail time, probation etc, imposes on the innocent. I say, the bosses involved, who effectively handed down the mantra that ‘It is the Sub-PostMasters at fault not the computer system’, will NEVER do jail time. The reason I short-circuit to that view, is simply two things: history bears this out; and the pretend-pursuit of senior bosses, will be used INSTEAD of paying compensation, as the main action occurring. The bosses will be too old to really be put in jail, if they are alive after ten years of lawyer-dom working the case against them. Justice is much better served by compensation being paid out of the order of £2M to £10M to each and every victim of the whole sorry mess. I fear, we all know what’s happening at this time, as we end April 2024 - treading water, regards full and total compensation. Just think of what the number would be, if it were the Prime Minister’s wife that suffered the injustice, and give them that, which I say is two to ten million pounds. Take care all.

[@saed66]

Dreadful

[@Yoyoyo224]

What these innocent people went through is a crime of life changing disgrace Vennels the christian priestess and her gang need to be in jail

[@onemanandhisdogsgoawonderi4630]

She seems ok ...

[@StimParavane]

Women get special treatment in our justice system so I don't expect any of them will go to prison.

[@50_Pence]

Are they just going to drag this out till everyone is sick of it. Then bury it. The usual

[@lindacraig7486]

Could she be any more insincere and glib. Her only sorrow is for herself and the truth finally coming out!

[@Jason-ke2nj]

Prison

[@playsjazz2]

Vennells never gave a damn and didn't care about People 's lives..😢

[@daedaluxe]

Bro looks like he's spent the past 15 years fighting the Post Office

[@MichaelEnright-gk6yc]

Written without admitting her role.

[@HelenBlack-sn7ke]

These apologies are so sickening. Who does it help?

[@kulsummalek]

Too late for apologies damages have been done 😢😮

[@katewild2194]

Three years was his sentence and he had to go to a B cat prison being a non violent crime one would expect him to be sent to a C cat prison poor man.

[@shallalay]

I hope he had a good payout 😊 and it still can’t compare to what he has been through

[@user-in4uu9jd1c]

Sorry

[@RONNEY123ful]

Prison for Susan

[@deejay-su7uf]

Should of used 2nd class.

[@TheJoonbug]

Human beings

[@Sukariguru374]

Why is she swearing by almighty God? What she did was beyond evil.

[@natureinsound5997]

All story serms like a institutional trap

[@tonyporter82]

When is ED Davey going to be arrested and charged?

[@PJMcInerney]

That won’t happen - he will have his day at the enquiry - apologise profusely- face a few embarrassing questions- then he will go on his merry way but this won’t do Lib Dem’s any favours come election time

[@Steve14ps]

Insincere apology

[@isotonik]

these peoples lives are ruined , they better get sonme prison time for it, but theyll probably worm their way out of it

[@brendanjoseph558]

Learned from the prince Andrew disaster interview...albeit apologies are too late !!!

[@tsj3025]

Watched this and haven't a clue what its about..... it means nothing unless there is a back story.

[@ralphplumb7027]

Wake up

[@PJMcInerney]

You haven’t really been keeping up have you - it’s ok just start reading up on post office scandal and you will soon get up to speed

[@xanderathome]

Only sorry they got cought

[@anllpp]

❤

[@minixtvbox]

C y n t,

[@cadoshalgham9937]

Europeans created the word sorry to getaway from their colonial Genocide, now the word sorry used against their own innocent citizens after their lives destroyed for corruption

[@ALGfunk]

An Xtian swearing by the bible while all her past present future sins are wiped out... Why won't she lies? Lol

[@XxTheAwokenOnexX]

The Royals should be held to account for this!

[@version736ha2]

Very sad. But one question. How did he pull her???

[@nameundefinedname5307]

rude

[@StimParavane]

Having women in leadership positions has really improved society. Their compassion and integrity are inspiring. What's especially notable is the way they take accountability. Well done feminism.

[@maigepresents5840]

I mean... in IT terminology, this is a defect not a bug... unless a backdoor into transactions was scoped into the Acceptance criteria for the software project by the Project Manager... in which case it wouldnt be a bug or a defect...

[@user-zi8qe6tf9f]

انَا اختكمَ مَن اليمَن وّالَلَه ماتكلمتَ الَا من جوّع وًّمَنَ ضَيَقَ الَحَالَ انَا وًّامَيَ وًّاخَوًّتَيَ تَشَرَدَنَا مَنَ بَيَوًّتَنَا بَسَبَبَ الَحَرَبَ نَحَنَ فَيَ حَالَهَ لَايَعَلَمَ بَهَا الَا الَلَهَ حَسَبَنَا الَلَهَ وًّنَعَمَ الَوكيَلَ فَيَ مَنَ اوًّصَلَنَا الَى هَاذا الَحَالَ 💔💔وًّالَلَهَ الَعَظَيَمَ مَا كتَبَتَ هَذا الَمَنَاشَدَهَ غَيَرَ مَنَ الَضَيَقَ وّالَفَقَر يَاعَالَمَ حَسَوّا فَيَنَا ارَجَوّكمَ وّالَلَهَ الَعَظَيَمَ رَبَ الَعَرَشَ الَعَظَيَمَ انَه الَاكلَ مَا فَيَ عَنَدَيَ بَالَبَيَتَ وًّالَلَهَ يَا اخَوّانَيَ انَهَ اخَوًّنَيَ بَقَعَدَوًّ بَالَيَوًّمَيَنَ مَافَى اكلَ وًّالَلَهَ وًّضَعَنَا كثَيَرَ صَعَبَ نَحَنَ 4 نَفَرَ دَاخَلَ الَبَيَتَ وًّابَيَ مَتَوًّفَيَ وًّلَا يَوًّجَدَ مَنَ يَعَوًّلَ عَلَيَنَا وًّسَاكنَيَنَ فَيَ بَيَتَ اجَارَ لَانَسَتَطَيَعَ دَفَعَ الَاجَارَ الَلَيَ بَاقَيَ عَلَيَنَا ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' اخي اول كلامي انا اقسم بالله على كتاب الله اني لااكذب عليك ولا انصب ولا احتال اني بنت يمنيه نازحين من الحرب انا واسرتي بيننا ایت الشهرب 14 الف يمني والان علينا 42 الف حق 3 شهور وصاحب البيت من الناس الي ماترحم والله يا اخي انه يجي كل يوم يبهدلنا ويتكلم علينا ويريد من البيت للشارع لانناماقدرنا ندفعله الأجار شافونا الجيران نبكي ورجعو تكلمو الجيران ومهلنالاخره الأسبوع معادفعنا له حلف يمين بالله هذا بيخرجنا إلى الشارع رحمه واحنا. بلادنا بسبب هذا الحرب ولانجد قوت يومنا وعايشين اناوامي واخوتي سفار والدنا متوفي الله يرحمه ومامعنا أحد في هذا الدنيا جاانبنا في هذه الظروف القاسيه اخوتي الصغار خرجو للشارع وشافو الجيران ياكلو واوقفو عند بابهم لجل يعطوهم ولو كسره خبز والله الذي له ملك السموات والارض انهم غلفو الباب وطردوهم ورجعو یبکو ایموتو من الجوع ما احد رحمهم وعطلة ردها لقمت عیش والان لوما احدنا ساعدنا في إيكيلو دقيق اقسم بالله انموت من الجوع فيا اخي انا دخيله على الله ثم عليك واريد منك المساعده لوجه الله انشدك بالله تحب الخير واتساعدني ولو ب 500 ريال يمني مع تراسلي واتساب على هذا الرقم 00967717354582 وتطلب اسم بطاقتي وترسلي ولاتتاخر وايعوضك الله بكل خير اخواني سغار شوف كيف حالتهم وساعدنا وأنقذنا قبل أن يطردونا في الشارع تتبهدل أو نموت من الجوع وانا واسرتي نسالك بالله لولك مقدره على مساعد لاتتاخر علينا وجزاك الله خيرا،.،.،:^:؛^:🎉°~°~^~°^π√^π√~π~√~√~π^~^~π~π~√√~~ππ~π√~~^^°^°€€لب❤🎉❤❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@jackjack-zq4gt]

What this country has done to these people is beyond disgusting!

[@markroyds23]

Imagine how angering it must make you to see these losers just say "sorry" and think that's okay

[@user-lt2rp3kd3d]

How many of the those who were involved in the wrongful prosecution of innocent people,will face any consequences,i will make a guess, NOT ONE, with a criminal government in power,

[@user-it3rm8dv7r]

Godbless you both praying you find peace don't let them ruin the rest of life❤