POST OFFICE SCANDAL: Cringe moment ex-boss tries to defend only working '1 & half days a week'

Post Office Horizon IT inquiry continues with evidence from Tim Parker, former chair of Post Office Ltd.
Mr Parker tries to explain how there was 'a lot going on at the Post Office' and that working only 1 and a half days a week was not the reason for making an error.
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#postoffice #horizon #timParker

[@poppops62]

Wow! The arrogance is astounding.

[@dinacox1971]

I am just dumbfounded. Bizarre and I agree with others this man needs jail time. This might, just might bring a glimmer of recognition that he, himself participated in the destruction of people lives. He should have an opportunity to mix with people not from his 'caste' while incarcerated, but he may need a long time to have this sink in!

[@joshuaryan1946]

This guy is so arrogant and annoying! He's PROUD of himsef and lecturing all of us peasants about how wonderful he is. He's really the most offensive one of them all.

[@keithwebb658]

There were far worse in POL.

[@chunkychats]

What was it about the PO that seemed to attract these pompous, arrogant, and selfish individuals who care about nothing or anybody other than their own self-esteem?

[@andydudley1775]

remember the tory and a rishi saying our plan is working .to cost you 10 billion going to his step dad .he very proud of this you know.

[@WELLBRAN]

If you look away from him his voice is sounds like a kid just out of college

[@WELLBRAN]

​@@chunkychatsno .I think that was one of the requirements to GET the job

[@richardwebb9045]

Well he thinks he's very special doesn't he.

[@adrianlloyd6403]

I have no reason why he thinks he is special.All that springs to my mind is how a clown like this ever got to his position on merit.But then again they never get to these positions on merit do they.They know the 'right' people,went to a particular school and university,mixes in lefty liberal circles,says the things people want to hear employing some confected word salad of corporate speak and he's a good all round egg.He sums up pretty much everything wrong in our broken society today.

[@hoWa3920]

Well, in a certain way he is.

[@pinballrobbie]

His boofy hair and arrogance tells it all, I doubt he gives one jot about the victims of the Post Office coverup.

[@paulrobinson2125]

Comes across as a very arrogant and condescending person with very little integrity or energy .. a very poor chair ! Money for old rope comes to mind. I have meet so many ineffective people of his background in the management of businesses … promoted way above his ability

[@geoffwright9570]

One thing's for sure about him , he wasn't worth what he was paid.

[@SimonWallwork]

What a complete arse. No wonder POL was run like a shipwreck.

[@jamesharvey8835]

@@SimonWallwork to be fair, most shipwrecks were handled with great skill compared to this

[@iantwizell799]

He's the worst I've seen so far in this sorry line up of entitled and privileged who think they are untouchable . Go to jail young Timothy.

[@johnclarke-vs9qe]

You're lucky Ian if you havent seen (in no particular order) Alice Perkins, Andrew Parsons, George Thomson, Angela Van Den Bogard, Lord Grabiner, Martin Smith, Mark Davies, Rodric Williams, Jarnail Singh, Paula Vennells, - but I admit I have not seen them all!

[@WELLBRAN]

All these taking the stand and being found out ..I'm wondering how their families see them ..especially any children ..but then maybe they are all like this throughout all their families and relatives

[@WELLBRAN]

​@@johnclarke-vs9qethen you have the likes of Helen Rose

[@hlwhhlwh2351]

I've listened to him today and he gives the air of finding the inquiry is beneath him

[@cassandratq9301]

Tip: try not repeatedly say, "as I've tried to explain...". It's patronizing as hell.

[@robertallardice8119]

And condescending!

[@johnclarke-vs9qe]

@@cassandratq9301 & "if I'm honest" and don't start most replies with "so look". Whilst sitting in a yoga position!!

[@roddersfiftynine]

Jason Beer is truly a knight, which makes this Parker bloke truly a count (and I think I spelt that incorrectly !).

[@diannepenny407]

😅... or, at best, a court jester...

[@beammeup8458]

You were o too generous

[@ParanormalUKNetwork]

You can edit your comment, but we all know what you mean ;)

[@lovelyskull3483]

Bahahahaha, too right!

[@pippipster6767]

Shooting fish in a barrel … hardly Columbo 😂

[@glencoe8251]

Where on earth did they get these people from? It's been a steady parade of useless and dishonest employees from day one of this enquiry.

[@luckysticks]

He didn’t spend enough time to attempt to understand the biggest problem in POL’s history. What a tool!

[@davidhogan-o3x]

Aptly put !!!

[@kellwickcornwall7885]

Isn't the point he reduced it to 2 days a month in November 2017? Presumably so he take up the chairmanship of Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service in April 2018 as well.

[@roystone9932]

An OVERPAID tool !!

[@neonwind]

Yeah, it wasn't worth his time, I guess.

[@DennisHughes-h8b]

@@roystone9932Dildo.

[@henrybartlett1986]

Arrogance personified.

[@judithpride1690]

Tim Palmer was deeply patronising to the point of offensiveness in the chair today. He appeared to have no clue that it wasn't just his tone that was sneering, but his body language - the leaning his knee on the desk as he answered one of Stein's questions at the end; the villainous smirks as he replied to Angela Patrick, Jo Hamilton's lawyer. He refused to answer simple questions with a Yes or No. He enjoyed the sound of his voice and being centre-stage. He patronised the entire court, but he'll probably be sitting at home with a glass of fine wine congratulating himself on a "bloody marvellous" performance whilst the rest of us wonder how in hell any of these people took on executive positions and try and find those clips where Beer put him right in his place (moments of golden genius - all done with a straight face)

[@paulhenson169]

Well said the arrogance was astounding

[@brendanfox8945]

Guy has absolutely no capacity as a human being - how on earth do these people get into these positions ??

[@NineInchTyrone]

Elites stroke each other

[@f0urstr1ng]

I appreciate that your comment is rhetorical however I think a suitable one word answer to it would be 'nepotism'.

[@michaemulholland7772]

Cronyism I’m sure the decent hard working people of this country have known for decades this has been going on and this proves it. How many companies does he sit on each month

[@chriswhitcomb8675]

Masons

[@GeorgeJarvis-o6i]

It's not what you know, it's who you know, and they wonder why the country is in a mess and broke.

[@davidunderhill2106]

Unbelievable arrogance ! Incredulous!!!

[@HometownUnicorn]

Wow! 208 days of work every 4 years. Wow! £5,000 per day of work. This country is messed up

[@cirodicarluccio6285]

It’s a normal pay day for an experienced manager considering we normally work 12-14 hours per day. So 400 pounds per hour it’s the minimum.

[@HometownUnicorn]

@@cirodicarluccio6285 boot licker

[@kmooney1954]

@@cirodicarluccio6285 Oh, that really added to the discussion!

[@triggersw3350]

@@cirodicarluccio6285 Yep , as someone said the country is messed up and so are your maths. I do not believe 'we' work at full capacity 12-14 hours a day! Not even a brilliant specimen of mangerial skill like Tim. And, if he was going 12-14 hours flat out, drawing deeply on his 'experience' the whole time, without a break.. no wonder he messed up! But as anyone who has had managers knows..Take out the cups of tea, food breaks, the pally chit chat etc. showers, ( yes, ) arranging the pick up stuff for the wife etc. and you can halve those hours easily.. and you probably counted in his travel time too..And after all that he didn't even do a good job.. £5,000 a day for Abject Failure may be the going rate- but most of us find it disgusting.

[@clivebates2187]

I cannot believe he has the barefaced cheek to say that he was an effective chair on one and a half days a week! INCREDIBLE! HOW DID HE GET AWAY WITH WORKING LIKE THIS ?!!! WHO SAYS THAT THIS IS OK?!!!!

[@Fiveeightsix]

Entitlement man as perfect example of the terrible class system in this world

[@judewestburner]

I think he deserves the most jail time.

[@Pmrace1960]

got a feeling he may quite enjoy it

[@ceemch]

Can he just do 1.5 days of jail per week tho, as it gets in the way of his social life!

[@AS-by8ee]

@@ceemch😂😂😂😂😂

[@ronnie3280]

If he’s not sent to jail his hair should be.

[@gherkamum]

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

[@Poppycat9182]

@@gherkamum agreed and there are quite a lot of others who should pay back bonuses too.

[@DerrickJenkins-s6c]

​@@Poppycat9182Including the odious Parker, the louche multimillionaire who proved yesterday how much of a waste of money, time, and oxygen he is.

[@alistairmcgregor8820]

How effective can a Chairman be working 2 days a month? I reckon I would be able to tackle my job with high energy working 2 days in a month. Were they consecutive days? By the time he's spoken to his PA, ordered his coffee, rearranged his mail he will have used up his 1st hour....then there's lunch, was it a working lunch with employees or customers and how much of his day did that occupy? What time did he get into the office and at what time did he leave? Does he sound like a hard grafter to you?

[@alansbinnie1446]

I suspect he actually did nothing.

[@johnclarke-vs9qe]

I reckon it was in his contract that he could take time off for Dental and hair appointments.

[@kevinbultitude6472]

Joker! We should all become post office chairmen with chairmen wages!

[@alanthorburn5073]

waffle. That's how the post office is a mess

[@floppysmith1181]

Like his hair

[@RichardKinghorn]

@@floppysmith1181surely that’s wig!!

[@pinballrobbie]

What makes an effective chair is overseeing the problems with the Post Office, 2 days a month would never cover that.

[@phiakate]

They are all so smug. What was his 1 1/2 day salary and when it was 2 days a month was the salary reduced?

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

Seems this superannuated Teddy Boy put more time and effort into his quiff than his responsibilities.

[@johnworkman2743]

Why are people like him and there are quite a few of them that have been through this enquiry so far still in employment and seem to think this is a bit of a joke and a waste of their valuable time. Those at the coalface work dam hard for a hell of a lot less and are totally competent in the work they do with no handshakes.

[@achitophel5852]

This is the guy who screwed up the National Trust as well. It's a good job the Chairman of this Inquiry isn't just spending a couple of days a month at the job. A Chairman devotes as much time as required to the job.

[@DenisGay-w1g]

Lock him up & a haircut

[@garyhope3731]

Good one

[@seymourclearly]

That's not hair, not his anyway

[@WELLBRAN]

Odd hair style as well ..tell tale sign

[@Geezabrek]

Candyfloss anyone?

[@jamesharvey8835]

What the hell were they paying this weirdo for his precious time? Second, he should be in prison just for that haircut.

[@dannywimpey2879]

He thinks his haircut is marvelous 😂

[@AS-by8ee]

If he were an ice-cream, he’d lick himself.

[@howardosborne8647]

That was knitted by his local Women's Institute 🤣🤣

[@jamesharvey8835]

@@howardosborne8647 well played

[@alanjones4622]

This guy sounds so laid back I´m surprised he is sat upright in his chair. How much did he get paid, five bob a week sounds like overpayment.

[@elunedevans1017]

When being interviewed by Mr Henry, he nonchalantly crossed his leg as if he was discussing the weather with his friends. The ignorance and arrogance of this man knows no boundaries.

[@johnclarke-vs9qe]

@@elunedevans1017 Yes he looked like he was adopting a yoga position! Just fell short of Alice Perkins who complained she was "getting tired" and "it has been a long day" aah poor thing! She could sleep it off if she was in jail.

[@susie6133]

Goodness Wurzel Gummage was certainly a revelation, completely and utterly out of touch with society and people. He’s known as the prince darkness due to the way he administered other companies by getting rid of people. I sat absolutely incredulous at his attitude - he resigned from post office two days before enquiry started!! Wurzel certainly wrecked the post office during his tenure😢

[@mikew742]

Yet another high ranking PO employee who was hopelessly out their depth.

[@simonevans343]

The cheek of the man. He was arguing that his job was multi fascited. When pointed out to him that he was working very little he said Beer did,nt understand

[@jimoconnor2594]

Lazy Barsteward

[@roderickhutchison5159]

Totally unaccountable. Same as to all CEO'S of public companies. They should all lose pensions and bonus

[@Poppycat9182]

On the information gleaned from this arse and aĺso from the horrendous Alice Perkins, what the chair of a business does is get paid and pass bits of paper around (you dont have to read the paper, just pass it on to someone else.) The only bit of paper you need to read is your payslip each month.

[@pdubya4690]

Spot on. Actually doing the job thoroughly is only for the little people.

[@jonathanbattersby660]

It gets worse and worse…..jaw dropping infact…….

[@williamthomson7820]

Has this man a bigger ego than Everest?

[@mikeellis4345]

Full of himself this guy. Awful lot going on ..so very busy at the time I’m not a lawyer but I only worked a minimum of 1.5 days a week .. I gave it plenty of time, / days a month in fact! I had so much experience anyway, with capacity to understand business problems, I rebutt that, I was very active energetic in fact …

[@johnclarke-vs9qe]

Well summarised!

[@dinacox1971]

I am just completely dumbfounded. Bizarre and I agree with others this man needs jail time. This might, just might bring a glimmer of recognition that he, himself participated in the destruction of people lives. He should have an opportunity to mix with people not from his 'caste' while incarcerated, but he may need a long time to have this sink into his delusional brain.

[@johnclarke-vs9qe]

Totally agree. He didn't have any answer when Mr Beer asked if he/The PO Board had asked for the Legal Priviege to be waived.

[@allanthorpe7139]

He is typical of what was wrong at PO.

[@ericlancashire1678]

Don’t ever let these people say we have to pay the big money and bonuses to these people to get the best.We’ve all seen they are just a bunch of crooks who unfortunately won’t see any jail time

[@dinacox1971]

While the bar is extremely high, this man may well be the most despicable yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Incredible.

[@Charlie1975-2]

Yes he was truly unbelievable.

[@martinsigley3957]

Paid how much for 1 1/2 days, and not learning how the post office works.

[@davegreenwood1663]

What was his pay packet for 1and half days a week ? Sounds like that was to much hard work ,so asked for it to be reduced to 2 days a month. It must be nice to be payed well and only have to work 2 days,month!

[@greentombdive]

Pompous slime: still thinks he’s at the head of the table.. Meanwhile, Beer’s clipped, marvellously tongue-in-cheek “Thank you.”!

[@richardkemp5550]

Total arrogance.

[@TheDreamDebut]

His arrogance is quite extraordinary! he "spent time to understand the business" REALLY? - Gary

[@anthonymiller8122]

He asked to work 2 days a month!!! Ffs

[@robertovers1863]

two days a month ???? he should do a month in jail for every day he worked

[@RobLittleuk]

Me tbinks Mr Parker is a Smart Arse minus the "smart" ! Very up himself and believes in self absolution.

[@killranger6144]

Yet another who has been employed beyond their capabilities. Who appoints these people that allow lawlessness corruption and dishonesty to run rife through the post office. Not one of them at any point has done the right thing. Above all so many of these people remain in post office employment. STAGGERING.

[@tonytime32]

The words bell and end spring to mind

[@IanEdmed]

How do you go sick if you're only there for 1.5 days a week.. You go off sick in your own time

[@cathhewitt8366]

If you are only working 1 1/2 days a week, always make sure they are on Mondays and Fridays, because bank holidays will cover them, talk about money for nothing!

[@russellbradley454]

Does that apply to everyone

[@JeanRinger]

I thought Lily Savage had come back to life He looks like a chair a wooden one

[@chairmanalf7856]

He looks and sounds like Bamber Gascoigne, he even used the phrase, ‘Starter for ten’ at one point 😂

[@JeanRinger]

You are right he does look like bamber gasgoin

[@mariannestuart4398]

I trust any company employing him now will realise he isn’t fit for purpose.

[@johnclarke-vs9qe]

They should, but don't hold your breath!

[@InaMacallan]

Judging by his career, his 'purpose' is to fly in, cut staff and services, and leave with a fat salary. In which case he must have been regarded as supremely fit for purpose.

[@paulfletcher3454]

Yet another Oxford PPE graduate who views grave situations with trivial undertones as if he is trying to win a debate at the Oxford Union- an appalling display of hubris and casual insolence.

[@LordBingham1]

"Theres an awful lot of things going on and an awful amount of stuff that needs addressing. And that's precisely why I chose to dedicate a FULL 1 and half days per week to it". The poor lamb had to dedicate the rest of his week to his barnet.

[@andrewhenderson8320]

Well the tour de France is on and it's awash with the latest aero cycling helmets 🥴

[@dinacox1971]

"It was just one of those things....small chuckle....that was what I was advised" Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And he had no way to consult another attorney????????????? Hands were just tied!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had no way to google the legal parameters of legal privilege!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These people just get worse and worse and worse!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really just bizarre!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@stevejh6630]

So 1½ days was too much for him? 2 days a month was enough to check his salary & expenses had been paid?

[@philipgreen6085]

Not enough time , he’s passing the buck another thing never trust a man who wears a syrup , funny handshake brigade close racks , they all knew about horizon wasn’t working properly , letting those postmasters prosecuted some ending in prison

[@niknoks7638]

Great gig if you can get it but I suppose it depends on ‘what school’ you go to!

[@outwithdadog]

Well, that was a word salad

[@DIVERBLOKE1]

He could not be effective in any way shape or form keeping n touch with 'everything that was going on in the PO'.

[@janeday9148]

Appalling arrogance & greed was obviously a requirement to be employed at a senior level in the Post Office ,throw in incompetence & it all adds up to the biggest scandal & injustice in British history costing millions & ruined lives

[@shedboy18]

PUBLIC OWNED COMPANIES MUST BE RUN EFFICIENTLY AND AS COST-EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE WAGES GET SOMEONE WHO DOES the public are ripped off with their TAXES AND DESERVE BETTER 2 days a month!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MrPotzie]

At the end of giving his evidence Tim unfortunately broke his arm patting himself on the back !

[@charliekelly1920]

I wonder if he played golf, the reason to cut his work time to 2 days a month was to spend more time on the course to improve his golf handicap?

[@AS-by8ee]

He was so good at his part time job that nothing bad happened at the Post Office…errr, wait a minute…errr….

[@robinblick9375]

Two days a month! He should have asked what he would have been paid for those two days.

[@kquat7899]

He needs a couple of days a week for his coiffure and nails.

[@jimoconnor2594]

Is that a wig ?

[@scottcunningham7998]

Looks like cotton wool....😁😁

[@stephenthroup7194]

Wiggy

[@iansutherlandcraig]

No. It’s always looked like that. He has many awful qualities but he does have his own hair.

[@ms9585]

Yeah, he borrowed one of Donald Trump wig collection 😂

[@martindoman7315]

If it's a syrup he probably got from Wilko.

[@jackmason4374]

Worth 300 million chair of 5 companies at the time

[@JeanRinger]

What a sick world we live in when you look at him what a waste of Space

[@admiralbillom7559]

what a sleaze

[@philipgreen6085]

Not enough time , he’s passing the buck another thing never trust a man who wears a syrup , funny handshake brigade close racks , they all knew about horizon wasn’t working properly , letting those postmasters prosecuted some ending in prison

[@philipgardner-uz5ne]

How much was he paid for 1&a half days a week?&who employed him😮

[@EdDueim]

£75,000 p.a.

[@philipgardner-uz5ne]

Unreal&who hired him😮

[@beammeup8458]

The person who employed probably a token of his appreciation ....

[@ritab8663]

Sorry……unlikeable

[@andyangyh]

Postman - "I would like to work 2 days a month for the same salary." Post Office - "Don´t be ridiculous. No-one can do their job properly if they only work two days a month. You´re sacked!" Chairman of Post Office - "I have so much to understand, so many issues to deal with, so many people to build relationships with that I´d like to go from 6 days a month to two". Post Office - "Of course. No problem and here´s an enormous salary in appreciation of your hard work!"

[@nickscott6139]

Also Chairman of The National Trust and look what's become of that once fantastic Trust.

[@robertwilson123]

Tim Parker tries to nonchalantly talk the whole scandal into the long grass. Mr 1½ days a week then Mr 2 days a month....no doudt having multiple other directorships running simultaneously.....and being paid perhaps for 2 days a month more than a hundred full time postmen or SPMs would earn in a year. Some would say he's a self serving useless parasite. .

[@alansbinnie1446]

Some would be right.

[@SteveRose-iq1cs]

How did understanding the business allow this travesty of justice to happen?

[@dawnhall3637]

He wouldn't inspire confidence.

[@chris-4566]

It’s only a short video but I could only stand listening to him for less than a minute and I was shouting at my iPad in anger.

[@DennisHughes-h8b]

How on earth was he allowed to work only one and a half day week for the salary he was on? He talks as a proper Civil Servant. Proper snob of a guy and cannot see any justification in him being questioned about anything that was wrong in the Post Office.

[@AlbieSpear]

How do these people ever get to positions of responsibility and control....the whole of this enquiry is littered by inadequates and fools...

[@dippyfish]

Soooo privileged.

[@jeaninea5029]

Is he implying he was effective when we’ve seen months of testimony from incompetent employees, lawyers and contractors? I guess he thinks spending time reviewing criminal prosecutions and finding the causes was a distraction from his other duties. Dilusional.

[@roberttatlow5535]

Went on to work at National Trust and upset many of the volunteers

[@stanmcintosh8037]

Yes it was, you also are to blame, how do you sleep at night

[@pollocad]

Have a look at Parker's business track record. Why is he so pompous - is that necessary (ever)?

[@andrewdavies8954]

laughable ,how much was this imposter paid ?

[@karenkawase9759]

But you weren’t an effective chair QED

[@judithmatthews8460]

Bet he spent more time spending the money than the one and a half days he supposedly worked. The “energetic” chair presided over a cover up. No escaping that fact. Maybe if he’d spent 2 and a half days he might have uncovered the crooks were not in the post offices but in the corporate building.

[@lizzy2161]

Just his hair makes him guilt of something never mind his boring domineer.

[@johnmoncrieff3034]

The next question has to be WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO SPEND SO LITTLE TIME AS THE CHAIRMAN OF ONE OF THE LARGEST AND COMPLEX INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES IN THE UK???? & to do the position justice?? Then the next Question is who in their right minds Appointed him under these conditions??

[@c-9233]

The "context" and "perspective" Tim Parker should be concentrating on, is that innocent people were being sent to prison and having their lives ruined. Some took their own lives because of the wrongful accusations and the contrived court convictions, Mr Parker. Then the cover-ups. Then the delayed justice. Many lives were ended before their names were clearer. Tim Parker, that is your proper "context' and "perspective". not your highly paid cushie little number at the Post Office, flying high on your extreme and repugnant ego.

[@ataxpayer723]

We don't need a lecture on what makes an effective chair. What he obviously did not grasp was the importance of the ongoing failures of the Horizon system, and his lack of leadership in getting to the bottom of the ongoing legal issues with sub postmasters.

[@petehayward7478]

He’s a absolute blame shifter so full of bs and wind. I can only imagine that as a boss he would be a complete tyrant.

[@howardosborne8647]

Any business this guy is involved with would be best served if he stayed at home and didn't show up at all.....what an astonishing display of arrogant self importance we see demonstrated here.🤬

[@alexcawthorne811]

How can anyone who sounds so vague and disinterested possibly even be employed in such a role? One and a half days a week and requests to have it reduced to work just 2 days a month....scandalous.

[@johncoetsee7730]

its not the time that you didn't spend is the problem -------- it is you not recognising the Guerrilla in the room ! ... enabling this level of corruption and abuse should attract custodial care and recreation.