The Real Mr and Mrs Bates: Their Truth Behind Taking on The Post Office | This Morning

[@julierogers1155]

THIS IS SO UPSETTING to watch, read about, to learn about ... and to start to understand how bad this has been for these sub-postmasters and these innocent people that have been TORTURED BY THE POST OFFICE Limited.

[@zhana4518]

I completely agree.

[@terrybarnett1317]

This film just screened on New Zealand 🇳🇿 television, absolutely shocking to believe this actually happened and how cruel the post office management treated these victims. They need to pay proper compensation for what they did. And those who lied need to be locked up.

[@123JWJWJW]

Same here in the US on PBS. Feeling exactly the same.

[@Anon54387]

I found it shocking, also an American that watched it on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). I will say that a common thing said by people from the UK is that, usually in reference to the limits put on government by our Bill of Rights, is that maybe you Yanks can't trust your government but we in the UK can trust ours. I hope those who said it now see that there is no such thing as a government that can be trusted, and that's why limits on government power must be in place. Kudos to Mr. Bates for making the sacrifices to right a wrong he didn't cause. He must be an incredible person, but still the time it cost away from his wife is yet another injustice in all this.

[@madelinesullivan2629]

Alan should be given a knighthood for standing up to this horrific miscarriage of justice.

[@lindacraig7486]

I'll vote for that!

[@mathewduffy5827]

I think he was offered an honour but declined it

[@JoelJoel321]

Now that Vennels has given up her CBE maybe he would feel he can accept.

[@CP-sy9cd]

Alan is not the person who would consider a gong and a title as not something desirable - it means so little. Truth and Justice mean more.

[@HaggisOfDeath]

@@CP-sy9cd But we the British people do want to reward people like him. In fact they are the only ones truly deserving of such awards. Far, far, FAR more than the usual suspects of integrity-lacking celebrities and various self-aggrandising CEOs, bankers, politicians and the like.

[@Geordie_Chloe_]

So sad to see Suzanne not smile for most of the video until talking about the dressing gown. Shows how much it’s all affected her. Was lovely to see Alan still smile throughout. I hope they are both ok. ❤

[@plummetplum]

She's lovely, though, but the stress does show.

[@paulrichards6894]

you can see why people looked up to this man

[@mwatepreciouschikunivan-ri5573]

Watching those 4 episodes was like I just kept getting the wind knocked out of me over and over 😩 … You Mr Bates, are a hero!

[@paulrichards6894]

i thought there was going to an injustice but i never realised how bad it was....how evil the post office were

[@natalied9022]

​​@@paulrichards6894the corruption is embedded in central government ... thats where it stems from. What needs to also change is get rid of the flawed voting system. So, who actually did put that vile woman up for an CBE?

[@Exanto777]

Bates for a knighthood but after £1 million compensation for each SPM and after at least one politician goes to prison for ten years.

[@oldneo4309]

Nick Wallis the investigative journalist who persevered with this determination and also wrote a book on this deserves recognition as well.

[@chrisbriscoe3483]

Yes, he's not just a realy stella journalist but also a kind and empathetic gentleman.

[@beltrofix7667]

I'm awful with remembering names and Nick Wallis is a name I've become familiar with so he must be getting some decent recognition for me to know his name. I completely agree they both (and probably others) deserve recognition.

[@oldneo4309]

Alan - we are all very supportive of you - the world needs more people like you. Let’s also pass credit to all the other postmasters who stood up against injustice.

[@joburgess1060]

It’s people like Mr Bates and his wife that gives us all hope ❤

[@littlecari1]

Hi from the States.i watched the PBS series first episode. Seems despicable but something like that should happen to hard-working people. Your a hero

[@keremacdonald5987]

Totally the best series I have ever seen and yes Alan Bates and your wife deserve everything nice to come your way 😢❤ we need more people like you two in this world. Thank you 🙏 ❤🥰

[@christinefiedor3518]

This couple are inspirational . I hadn’t realised that Alan turned down the MBE. What a true noble gentleman. They and only they give me hope for the future. Governments past and present are a waste of space. And Paula should definitely be stripped of her award.

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

As he said he would be a slap in the face to the others especially whilst Vennells still has hers and her bonuses

[@danieltaylor7219]

The management who are responsible should be charged with Treason, and the victims need compensating for this with millions of pounds ,their live have been several effected by this and the award needs to be a life changing amount of money

[@truth-hurts]

Alan Bates should be given a seat in the House of Lords, there are too many cronies in there it's time for real (Honest) people to have a voice! if there's anyone out there who could start a petition for this please go for it

[@Loza6-xl2vv]

He wouldn't get in he's too honest!

[@theambivalentps2bloke60]

Abolish the house of Lords & just give Alan his flowers

[@solea59]

I think Alan would prefer a quick resolution and to be able to enjoy the rest of his life in relative peace. Bless you for the thought though !

[@sarangistudent8614]

He’d get in there if he pretended to support Brexit, I mean, Ian Botham, really?!?!

[@philipmcdonagh1094]

Should be given Vennells OBE for starters.

[@jujutrini8412]

Give the people their money back and compensate them for all the hardship that the Post Office put them through! Also put the wrongdoers in prison and fine them millions.

[@lindacraig7486]

Yes Yes!

[@jeanbarrs9306]

And so say all of us. They are amazing lovely kind generous people. Sending big❤❤❤ hugs

[@deebee.14]

It’s criminal what has happened but also criminal why it has took so long to get the full story out and make it nation wide. This documentary is well made, very moving for sure but should have happened years ago and not 20 years down the road. Mr and Mrs Bates I can’t think of anyone who deserves a much needed holiday than you two do and I hope you really have a fantastic time. A smile can go a long way but generosity can go further, well done guys ❤

[@jrude100]

Full credit to this couple they have taken strength and determination to a new level for the TRUTH

[@zie9171]

What an incredible couple! Got no words really. The whole story is like a punch in the solar plexis.

[@hemtet5500]

What I love about Toby Jones is he has completely disappeared into the background so as not to take any of the limelight off the victims. You can bet his phone is red hot with demands from the media very honourable thing to do and this is the only place I can say it so well done mate.

[@craighardie4]

Convictions being overturned and compensation paid is definitely due, but will anyone from the Post Office, Fujitsu or the government ever actually be held accountable for this happening in the first place?

[@kohsamuienglishclub6133]

To be wrongly accused is traumatic enough, it's to your credit Sir, you stood up and was counted for yourself and others. The country and the government owe you and the fellow post office people a huge apology. Let's make it right, giving you all apologies, recompense and reinstatement where necessary. A horrible, sordid affair. Well done.

[@chrischapman3447]

I'm so pleased that justice has finally been resolved. Absolute disgrace that these people were subjected to the treatment by the Post Office and Horizon. A compensation of £600,000 is not enough for the torment that all the Post Master's and their families went through and everything they lost. through

[@TheDarkArt657]

No, its like Hillsborough, we have the truth, Justice awaits.

[@mairiconnell6282]

They still have a long way to go this is sadly just the first step.

[@colinb9183]

Nothing has been resolved until all the sub postmaster's have got a settlement

[@johnyare8576]

Has it?.

[@solea59]

I just hope that it stays in the minds of the general public for a long time .Unfortunately like all news it's a passing thing, more news tomorrow. But I fervently hope the injured get the compensation they deserve.

[@solea59]

My wife and I watched all four programmes in one evening ! Those responsible must be brought to account. This isn't just a case of bosses bonuses, cbe's,etc, these peoples lifes have been ruined. It has to remain in the public conscience because as most news it can be lost if not kept in focus. Best wishes to all those affected I hope you get satisfaction.

[@wetkneehouston6293]

My Mrs and I watched it in one evening too, stayed up late as we were so gripped by it We're so angry and sickened for these poor people. Shocked it hasn't got the media coverage it should have up till now

[@solea59]

@@wetkneehouston6293 You are right. But now it has to be kept open in the public's vision. Sadly old news gets forgotten so quickly. i.e. since the israeli conflict the Ukranian conflict took 2nd stage in daily news. But the people who are in charge of reimbursing have to speed up as many will die before getting cleared and getting their money. It's really shameful !

[@donnabartlett-qd7tb]

Full justice now for all!! Get it done!!!!

[@stjohnssoup]

What a wonderful man. He really is truly heroic. He reminds me of my father ❤

[@Sidammm]

You guys deserved many more offers, I hope more to come! Well done and please carry on fighting! 👏👏👏❤

[@donnabartlett-qd7tb]

What a hero and his wife ❤ and to all affected im sorry for you and so frustrated for you 😢 I cried watching the drama as it showed the human cost 😢 I must admit although I'd heard of the scandal here and there I didnt know all the details and disnt realise how bad and big this is. The drama has also helped people see this. Well done to every single person who has and is fighting this battle. I dont usually comment online but I feel so compelled to show my support and respect to you all and I'm disgusted this isn't fully resolved 20 years on!!

[@martinefrancesmctiernan7624]

A holiday truly needed for you both.

[@oldneo4309]

Paula Vennells walked away from the Post office with a 400k bonus as well as the CBE - we must be the only country that rewards bad behaviour!!!

[@lindacraig7486]

These people have no decency, no principles; no integrity and absolutely no recognition of shame!

[@JoelJoel321]

We're definitely not the only ones lol

[@tunez4uhickman997]

And we know where the £400k came from don’t we

[@DW-dd4iw]

It would have been better for the Post Office to admit they were wrong and, instead of spending £££ millions on defense legal fees, paid the money in compensation directly to the victims of the Horizon fiasco.

[@beverleyroberts1025]

Wow, such amazing people. Alan Bates has done something so extraordinary, he's never given up and fought on for what was right. I hope in the future lessons are learnt from this! People should always speak up in a workplace for what is wrong, but sadly in my experience too many weak people protecting their own job with no voice! Alan and Suzanne deserve that amazing holiday! Such lovely people! x 🥰

[@TheDarkArt657]

Come into my parlour said the spider.

[@christinejames5631]

Your spot on banks do the same if you've had money stolen from your account

[@leytonseymour3770]

Got emotional at the end seeing them both so happy must have been a difficult 20 years for all involved, I for one hope you all get what you deserve, so disappointed in the system once again

[@Talk4UK]

Every single one of these families should be adequately compensated and the perpetrators should be held accountable for their actions with a very heavy hand.

[@EdwardThatch-ee7yx]

Under section 6.2 of the Prosecution Act of 1985, Sir Keir Starmer had the power to take over private prosecutions. It is unbelievable that Keir didn’t know what was happening. There were not one or two cases but 736 cases!! 736 people were wrongly convicted and four people are known to have taken their own lives. So the question is what was Keir doing 736 times?? There are questions for him to answer!! Why won’t he answer them??

[@solea59]

None so blind as those who do not want to see, or non so deaf.... etc

[@lindacraig7486]

Take a mild guess!

[@rawrsophiex]

He might be a human rights lawyer, but he doesn’t have a clue. Not about these innocent people or the innocent people in Gaza. The man is a joke.

[@EdwardThatch-ee7yx]

@@rawrsophiex Tony Blair was warned system could be 'flawed' when he was prime minister. Documents published by the inquiry into the Post Office scandal show the former Labour prime minister was warned in 1998 that there were concerns over the competency of Horizon.

[@mairiconnell6282]

Without Alan there would be no Justice and no Drama and that has made the impact to take these sods to be held accountable. Alan and Suzanne are dovetailed. Fantastic that they are getting a wee break especially after Suzanne's cancer. Enjoy to the full.

[@juliehubbard158]

What a lovely couple. You can see its taken its toll! Keep the good fight going and enjoy your holidays❤

[@louisemonks4606]

They are an amazing couple, so strong & courageous

[@highmyope-ps2by]

If Toby Jones does not get every award going for his portrayal of Alan Bates then that will be another miscarriage of justice. He brought the whole nasty affair to life.

[@solea59]

I think that Toby already has satisfaction that the programme had such an effect. Who needs awards to sit on the mantlepiece ? just something to catch dust. ( but that's just my distaste for awards ) All the other actors need recognition too, it was a splendid programne.

[@lindacraig7486]

No.1 actor. I'll vote for that. Brilliant.

[@jwen9299]

​@@solea59I agree totally with you, it's not about the silly little trophies that the brilliant actors could get, It's about the real people and those that supported them through this terrible experience. I'm sure the actor would agree. But I'm so proud of our down to earth hard working actor's 👏👏👏👏

[@solea59]

@@jwen9299 Rishi Sunak is an actor too, ....just not a believable one 😆😆

[@paulrichards6894]

having seen this this interview he played him brilliantly

[@robertstraw9881]

It isn’t a happy ending. This shouldn’t have happened in the first place. People have died because of this, they’ve lost marriages, houses, life savings etc this TV drama can’t bring that back.

[@angr3819]

I think this begun before Fujitsu, way back in the 1980's. I remember when the long term sub postmaster around the corner to my father was accused when they put in a computer system. No local believed he guilty. I have wondered what happened to him. We nerver found out. That is be another can of worms they won't want to open, isn't it?

[@gillianmountford4942]

🤔

[@paulcleary1758]

Adam Crozer - Vennells's predecessor Adam Crozier prospered after the Blair government handed him the chief executive role at Royal Mail - which he oversaw the Post Office - in 2003. For seven years, until his departure in 2010, the former boss of the Football Association was Britain's best-paid civil servant, sometimes earning more than £3 million a year in pay and bonuses - despite presiding over the closure of more than 7,000 Post Office branches. , Crozier's reign also coincided with the wrongful conviction of scores of innocent sub-postmasters. Indeed, it was during his tenure that the Post Office began issuing aggressive denials to news organisations which had begun to question the reliability of the Horizon system. Oddly, however, he does not once feature in ITV's drama. Some wonder if that could be because of one salient fact: after quitting the Post Office he spent seven years as head of ITV and ITV Studios. The broadcaster denies a cover-up

[@lindacraig7486]

I am just sick with disgust.

[@maureenstarr5744]

How disgusting

[@scottwarner1017]

Alan and Susan are amazing people. They deserve justice and compensation. The post office management team should all be jailed.

[@alimay1011]

It's beyond belief this hasn't been settled nor has fair compensation been received by the victims. I still can't work out: was this a deliberate inbuilt system error? I'm reminded of Birmingham 6 & Guildford 4 who served 15+yrs for a crime the UK judiciary knew they did NOT commit

[@margaretfleming3554]

One very quick move would be for the Post Office to pay these people's legal fees of £54,000,000. A trust could then be set up to repay, in the first instance, what these poor post masters, and their families, were made to pay to make up the incorrect short falls! I know this will only cover the 550 who took the court action but it's a start. Compensation for the stress and suffering could be looked at and assessed at a later date. For those outside the 550, their shortfalls should immediately be repaid as should any legal fees to date. How you compensate families whose loved ones took their own lives to end the suffering is beyond me though. This has been one of the most shocking things I've ever watched.

[@chrischapman3447]

Well done to Richard Branson for the holidays he has offered to Mr and Mrs Bates.

[@TheDarkArt657]

Why would anybody trust Branson? He will have the whole island bugged.

[@samuelcraig]

@@TheDarkArt657 lol

[@DJBlu2003]

Just goes to show what one person can do. Never give up.

[@angr3819]

Does anyone else realise this? Enacting legislation will sweep it under the carpet fast with minimum so called compensation? A retired Head of the Criminal Cases Review Commission was on TV today stating that legislation should only be enacted when all other avenues have been exhausted. They haven't been, even though it would have only taken months (instead of the years so far) for the commission and Court of Appeal to overturn the convictions. It could have been done long ago. No doubt they could also award a much higher level of compensation to surviving victims. As well as properly investigate the roles and liability arising from the legal Duty of Care of those at the very top as well as others.

[@michaelrandall2070]

When the Court cases escalated was a graph maintained by the Post Office showing the number of proecutions commenced each week against sub-postmasrers and any guilty findings. This shuld be compared with the intoduction of the disasterous Horizon software. If following complaints the PO were validating the software with no proper reviews or re-trials then this is gross incompetence.

[@SubwayLoyal]

I wouldn’t think it’s out of place for me to think a cool million pounds per person who’s character has been destroyed,some were jailed,disgusting,we stand by these modern day miner strikers,justice ,retribution 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@johanlourens723]

Alan and Suzanne and all the victims in this saga my heart goes out to you. I hope justice wrt exoneration and proper compensation will prevail. From South Africa and against the backdrop of the SA Post Office (government controlled) collapsing.

[@jeffnelson8386]

This drama has had the same effect as Kathy come home it is pity that it takes a drama to highlight a problem.

[@lindacraig7486]

What makes me so so so mad is that the Rishi Sunak's and Ed Davey's will now jump on th bandwagon in attempts to become hero's when in reality they are utterly shameful!

[@fionagregory9147]

Heroes*

[@SpiritDestiny]

W❤W Good on Richard sorting out the holidays. What an uplift that was so see their faces, they truly lit up x🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@breehogg2878]

Necker island!? is that a good intention gone wrong? Looks like a Press piece to me?! Why couldn’t Mr Branson just offer them flights and accommodation to anywhere in the world and do it privately so that they don’t have to be hassled with so many questions and attention on their ‘free holidays’. They need peace and they need regeneration and restitution.These people are amazing. What beautiful role models. Hurry up British Government and clean up the mess.

[@jeremiahkearney5191]

As part of the “composition” the post office should be made put up public notice in every post office apologising to all the postmasters and the staff who were wrongly accused of “all criminality” associated with the Horizon software. And include names where agreed with the victims.

[@squifferpop]

Very good interview!

[@jamesprendergast6183]

Nice tto hear a West Country accent on Daytime National TV!

[@LindaJohnston-mu1hg]

The people in the post office should have known about the flaws in the 500 trial period. Why was it not stopped then before it got so bad and ruined so many lives. Can't get the drama here in Canada just news on you tube. Keep fighting!

[@doreenhollywood7459]

What a lovely accent the female presenter has. Great interview. Good luck to this couple and the others

[@knoxratukalou7820]

Knighthood for Alan ❤❤❤

[@gillianmountford4942]

Alan and partner are legends! I hope Richard B and friends help to get justice done quickly by keeping it in the limelight.

[@auldflyer]

Great presentation, Alan and Suzanne wonderful couple....

[@mugurel-4028]

All these compensations are great and well and holidays but firstly these errors should have never happened and secondly, these money compensations seem a bit late. and these people would probably not enjoy them 100% as they should...

[@monticlassictv]

God bless Allan for his stand up to the big corporations and probably the main man that’s brought this whole scenario into the public eye and I hope that the perpatrators and high end management that’s gone to extreme lengths to try to cover up this unfortunate saga get there just deserts in the highest courts in the land.

[@ianlane4242]

They are both amazing people ❤

[@lw1zfog]

dear people on the telly, please do a show about the mystery of the ongoing global unexplained ‘excess deaths’, so that the polytrickians & presstitutes can start discussing it out loud. Ta.

[@angr3819]

So how many workers contracted their own local MP's to no avail? If any did, who were those MP's?

[@randomtruths2391]

Surely he becomes post office CEO now?

[@joehanlon3498]

Absolute legends

[@furdiebant]

Why didn’t Parliament (all parties, all MPs) not act quicker

[@BlobB-kn9ww]

They own the post office and have shares in it.

[@colinbrown5950]

The great miscarriage of justice is if those aware ,involved, perpertrated and had knowledge of this horrific event at the Post Office and Fuijutsu are not broght in for questioning, charged, put on trial and sent to jail for a long time and sued for compensation.

[@handywoman840]

I can't say enough in support of this man, his wife, and the others who were victimised. There is not enough justice in the world for what happened to them. The complacency, the malevolence, the indifference of the people in charge. Start with Paula Vennells and Fujitsu, then work down to the lower levels of inspectors enjoying their petty power. If the very highest in the organisation are not jailed, it will be a miscarriage of justice..

[@kennethsimmons2029]

Attorney general complicity documented in 2002 ? Recused chairman 1999 ? Mandy Talbot contacted by Roderick Williams in 2019 over judge recusal ? Despite claiming to have left post office in 2014

[@natashalall3553]

every company should get rid of fujitsu!

[@lanthaniated1]

A lot of Post Office and Fujitsu top brass should see their next Horizon from behind bars over this entrenched cover up. This is and will continue to be a huge injustice to these people.

[@OhNoNotFrank]

People like this is why Scandinavians love the Brits.

[@joanneramsden1514]

Alan is right. Get justice done. Pay what postmasters are owed

[@sararichardson737]

That couple look hollowed out. 20 yrs of anger and frustration

[@alanhayward6719]

What a shame it took a TV show to bring it to light and speed up justice for the people involved. Disgusting miscarriage of justice.

[@gaz8891]

It's worth considering that the Post Office had strongly resisted having to use this system to begin with. It was contracted by the Government from Fujitsu for use on something else, the benefits system, but because it was so dodgy, that use had to be abandoned. Quite a few people advised Tony Blair to drop it completely, but he didn't want to lose all the investment and appear to have failed on his 'modernising' pledges. So he asked Fujitsu to remake it for the Post Office and forced the Post Office to use it. There were issues all the time, and I think as time went on and the IT people got used to constantly remotely correcting the data (100,000 remote data corrections per year, said the legal judgement!), they persuaded themselves that the bugs were normal, and the Post Office management lost sight of how risky this was to the end-users.

[@RisshanLeak]

and people tend to wonder why we have trouble trusting the government.

[@janeb3024]

I have yet to hear anything about how Paula Vennell's behaviour has reflected on the church. Or what the church is saying or doing about her role in the church.

[@joerudnik9290]

Mr. Bates should have brought his concerns to the IT community in the US. They would have told him outright that ALL software has problems. They might have been able to tell him what was going wrong. They certainly could have provided a ‘friend of the court’ brief detailing that software is expected to have problems and that Horizon would definitely have the ability to change data for the worse, intentionally or not, and that his concerns had merit. If Vennells would have quashed it, it certainly could have been distributed to the media.🤨😉🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@TASIAawful1]

He’s an inspirational human being

[@sianiswack633]

I should think the phrase 'Give Me the Money' rings pretty true here.

[@joanneramsden1514]

Fantastic Richard branson.

[@unaphoto719]

Hero’s is right ❤

[@StephenBeale]

well done to them all. A trade union can do this kind of thing to support people, too, but they get demonised, strangely...

[@dcoughla681]

The current Chairman of Channel 4, Sir Ian Cheshire, nominated Paula Vennells for a CBE.

[@samuelcraig]

Seem's like Ed Davey has gone to ground after his day of riding his little canon. He should resign, the victims in this should receive an apology from parliament, Vennells should lose her damehood and the victim's criminal records expunged. Simple.

[@denismelvin222]

Singer songwriter and musician Ms Birdy 🐦 sings "People Help the People"

[@rhiannonmorrissey9275]

It's shameful it's taken 20yrs gorgeous these poor people to get any sort of reparations

[@AndrewCraner-vb7mm]

That system was so messed up our local postmaster who we all knew told us after he retired his system most days be ten grand up not a minus he used to put this money in safe next day on the system he be five grand down day after nine grand down then it would go back up to being over madness people done prison time for this system

[@timetochange4376]

well done Alan and Richard Branson

[@TravelinChina]

Classy move from Richard Branson.

[@murshadrob439]

Not all heroes wear capes

[@brammetjedejong8619]

In those cases that people lost their job, house and pension they should easily compensate for 1 million pounds. They should just make a simple tier system. The more problems you got from this post office horizon thing the higher you get on the compensation scheme. Make the scheme generous after all people are 20 years!

[@Dithunder]

Truly, how can the government allow this.

[@Sunlightmoonbright]

It’s the 20th January 2024 How do we watch this show? It’s not on itv online!!!

[@gillianmountford4942]

ITV X

[@Sunlightmoonbright]

@@gillianmountford4942 it turns out it was my apple device that wouldn’t show the listing. I tried a different device and the listing was there, so I could watch it. Thanks.

[@petersullivan2837]

Surely if you win your case then the losing side pays the costs

[@rottingdoggy]

Post master bates is a true legend!