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Post Office scandal explained: What the Horizon saga is all about

2024-01-11 00:00:00.0 英国广播公司-商业新闻原网页

By Kevin Peachey, Michael Race & Vishala Sri-Pathma

BBC News

Victims of the Post Office scandal have been promised swift exoneration and compensation by the government.

More than 900 workers were prosecuted after faulty software wrongly made it look like money was missing from their branches.

Their case is back in the spotlight following the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office.

What is the Post Office scandal?

The Post Office had prosecution powers and, between 1999 and 2015, it prosecuted 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses - an average of one a week - based on information from a computer accounting system called Horizon. Another 283 cases were brought by other bodies including the Crown Prosecution Service.

Some went to prison for false accounting and theft. Many were financially ruined, even though they had repeatedly highlighted problems with the software.

After 20 years, campaigners won a legal battle to have their cases reconsidered. To date only 93 convictions have been overturned. Under government plans, victims will be able to sign a form to say they are innocent, in order to have their convictions overturned and claim compensation.

Can scheme to quash Post Office convictions work?

Downing Street has also said it will work with Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure the victims wrongly accused in those nations can also be cleared.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating the Post Office over potential fraud offences arising from the prosecutions.

A public inquiry began in February 2021, with victims still seeking appropriate redress and accountability.

What is Fujitsu's Horizon system?

Horizon was introduced by the Post Office in 1999. The system was developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu, for tasks like accounting and stocktaking.

Sub-postmasters complained about bugs in the system after it falsely reported shortfalls - often for many thousands of pounds.

Some attempted to plug the gap with their own money, as their contracts stated that they were responsible for any shortfalls. Many faced bankruptcy or lost their livelihoods as a result.

The Horizon system is still used by the Post Office, which describes the latest version as "robust".

More on the Post Office scandal

How Post Office drama shone light on scandal 'Racism affected our treatment in Horizon scandal' Fujitsu should pay compensation, says postmaster

What was the effect on Post Office workers?

Many former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses have described how the scandal ruined their lives. Marriages broke down, and some families believe the stress led to health conditions, addiction and premature deaths.

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Media caption, Watch: Former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses talk to BBC Breakfast

'I carried the shame - I refuse to carry it any longer' 'Horizon scandal has taken everything from me' Post Office scandal TV drama 'brings it all back'

What compensation is available?

More than 4,000 people in total have been told they are eligible for compensation, with three separate schemes operating. They are:

The Group Litigation Order (GLO) Scheme is for the 555 former postmasters (excluding those who had criminal convictions) who brought a group lawsuit, and received a relatively small payout after legal costs were paid. They will now be offered an upfront payment of ￡75,000, but around two-thirds are expected to turn that offer down and push for more. The Overturned Convictions Scheme allows those in that category to choose to take a fast-tracked ￡600,000 settlement, or can enter into negotiations if they feel they are entitled to more. All eligible people are entitled to an "interim" payment of ￡163,000 while their final settlements are processed. Of the 93 convictions that have been overturned, only 30 of those people have agreed "full and final settlements" - but when the government's promised law to overturn all convictions linked to the scandal becomes a reality, hundreds more people will be eligible. The Horizon Shortfall Scheme is intended for those sub-postmasters who were not convicted or part of the GLO court action but who believe they experienced shortfalls because of the Horizon system. They can apply to have their cases independently assessed, and possibly be compensated at the end of it. It has received more than 2,700 eligible claims so far.

Prof Chris Hodges, chair of the the independent Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, told the BBC that individual compensation payments have reached as much as "well over ￡1m".

How do the Post Office compensation schemes work?

What is the latest on accountability?

Nobody has ever been held accountable for the scandal.

The heavily criticised former Post Office chief executive, Paula Vennells, said she would hand back her CBE after a petition calling for its removal gathered more than a million signatures.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey is among several politicians who have faced questions, as he was postal affairs minister in the coalition government. He said he regretted not asking "tougher questions" of Post Office managers, describing what had happened as "dreadful".

The inquiry is hearing from Post Office investigators, Fujitsu, civil servants and others.

BBC iPlayer - Panorama - The Post Office Scandal

This Panorama special tells the story of those whose lives were utterly devastated, reveals the damning evidence that was kept from them and investigates how and why the Post Office, a multinational tech company and the government covered up the truth for so long. (UK only)

Have you been personally affected by the Post Office scandal? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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