Tory MP calls out Ed Davey over Post Office scandal

       Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has come under fire for his actions as postal affairs minister when issues surrounding the Horizon system first emerged.

       Sir Ed failed to investigate the details of the scandal during the Lib Dem coalition with the Conservatives despite receiving letters from victims.

       Hundreds of sub-postmasters were prosecuted as a result of faulty IT software, with the issue back in the public eye following ITV’s drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

       During an interview with The Guardian, Sir Ed has accused Post Office managers of unleashing a “conspiracy of lies” against successive ministers.

       He said he felt “sick to the stomach” about the way he and successive post office ministers had been misled, but stopped short of apologising to victims.

       READ MORE: Ed Davey refuses to attend MP debate about Post Office scandal despite key role

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       Sir Ed is facing calls to resign and was absent from a two-hour Commons debate about the Post Office scandal on Monday evening, with one MP calling out his failure to attend as “shameful”.

       Sir Edward Leigh, who served in the same ministerial role as Sir Ed from 1990 to 1993, slammed the Lib Dem leader’s defence claiming ministers are responsible for any scandal in their area of competence.

       The veteran Tory told the Commons: “I’m glad that the minister is asserting the principle of ministerial responsibility, which has been very clear long since the Crichel Down case, where even if the minister isn’t personally responsible he is responsible for what goes wrong.

       “When I was minister for the Post Office that was made clear to me, and I think it’s reprehensible that at least one of my successors is trying to dodge the bullet in this way and just say ‘Oh I was given the wrong advice’. If we own the Post Office, the minister is responsible and that is a principle we have to establish.”

       While Sir Edward did not mention the Lib Dem leader’s name it was a clear attack on Sir Ed who is facing calls to resign.

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       POLL: Should the Lib Dems get rid of Ed Davey as leader after Post Office scandal? (Image: Getty)

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       A spokesman for Sir Ed now says he “wishes he could have done more to help”. They added he has been lied to “on an industrial scale” by the Post Office and other ministers.

       Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has defended Sir Ed, posting on X: “Ed has said how much he regrets that the Post Office was lying to him, just like it was to everyone else.

       “He's experienced more than his fair share of tragedy in his life, I know he feels the pain of those affected by this scandal very deeply.”

       So what do YOU think? Should the Lib Dems get rid of Sir Ed as leader after Post Office scandal? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comment section below.

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