Horizon Settlement: Future Governance of Post Office Ltd

The hon. Member emphasises the failure of courts in providing justice to victims who were accused unfairly by the Post Office, highlighting how courts repeatedly sided with the Post Office despite its inability to provide proper evidence.

The hon. Member discusses additional revelations about people fixing the system behind the scenes and being incentivised to do so quickly, further exacerbating existing issues and causing worse financial damage to sub-postmasters.

The right hon. Member questions whether any individuals at management levels within Post Office Ltd or Fujitsu have faced accountability for their roles in the scandal, emphasising the lack of consequence despite clear maladministration.

The hon. Lady notes that Paula Vennells, formerly the chief executive of Post Office Ltd and now chair of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, also holds positions such as a non-executive member of the Cabinet Office.

Highlights issues regarding the Post Office's actions and government inaction, raises questions about non-executive directors' roles and responsibilities towards Ministers. Criticises the compensation scheme as insufficient and calls for an independent voice to represent sub-postmasters.

Supports Kevan Jones, raises concerns about MPs' inability to obtain information regarding Post Office's actions, draws parallels with the Hillsborough inquiry.

The Post Office has caused significant harm to honest individuals who have lost their homes and faced criminal convictions due to the Horizon IT system. The organisation's conduct is tyrannical, and it has ignored discrepancies reported by subpostmasters. A judge was critical of the Post Office for relying on Section 12 clause 12 without demonstrating negligence or error. It is clear that the Post Office must accept responsibility and initiate a full independent inquiry to compensate those affected.

This debate highlights a massive scandal where subpostmasters were wrongly accused of theft, fraud, and false accounting based on advice from the Post Office's helpline. The Post Office’s actions are predatory capitalism as they protected themselves at the expense of injustice to many individuals. The organisation bullied and lied to prevent documents crucial for overturning wrongful convictions from being disclosed.

The debate underlines that the Post Office's primary concern was self-protection, resulting in total injustice towards those affected by the Horizon IT system scandal.

There is a constituent who at 18 years old was wrongfully accused of theft and sent to Holloway for six months without her name being cleared despite waiting five years. This exemplifies the need for justice and accountability in cases involving subpostmasters.

Describes Kamran Ashraf's case, highlighting how he lost his business and home due to prosecution based on Horizon system errors. Calls for an independent inquiry into the Post Office's handling of the scandal.

Comments that the Post Office must have known about the scale of problems with the Horizon system, despite denying any flaws.

Questions if it was shameful for the Post Office to try and grind down claimants so they would withdraw their claims. Highlights lack of accountability from an arm's length organisation that receives public money.

Retells the story of Siobhan Sayer, a sub-postmistress who was prosecuted for false accounting due to system errors. Discusses her personal suffering after the incident.

Thanked the right hon. Member for North Durham for securing the debate, discussed constituents affected by the scandal, including Jacqueline El Kasaby and Elizabeth Barnes, questioned why justice was delayed and whether the Government would take urgent action to ensure justice for those who settled through mediation, raised concerns about oversight and cover-up attempts, called for a public inquiry as promised by the Prime Minister.

Congratulated the right hon. Member for North Durham and the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire on securing the debate, paid tribute to sub-postmasters who faced hardship due to the scandal, expressed disappointment at how technology was used as an instrument of torture, highlighted cases of individuals suffering mental health problems and financial ruin, mentioned the December settlement and Justice Fraser's verdict, called for a bespoke response from the Criminal Cases Review Commission to expunge convictions due to Horizon faults, questioned why Paula Vennells' appointment on the Cabinet Office board was allowed, called for a full public inquiry into the scandal.

Congratulated the right hon. Member for North Durham and my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire, who cannot be here today, for securing today’s important debate. Acknowledged the role of post offices and highlighted that there has been a programme of new post office openings. Recognised the impact litigation has had on affected postmasters and their families. Stated that the Government acknowledges past mistakes made by the Post Office regarding the Horizon accounting system and its dealings with postmasters, and that it has apologised for these issues. Announced that a comprehensive resolution to the litigation was achieved through mediation. Mentioned a scheme being developed to address historical shortfalls for non-group litigation postmasters, highlighting the importance of cultural and organisational changes to foster a genuine commercial partnership between the Post Office and postmasters. Emphasised the need for support for successful branch operation including newly established area managers, improved branch support centre, an overhaul in postmaster training, and increased remuneration. Discussed future governance, stating that there are robust mechanisms in place to maintain oversight of the Post Office, including regular meetings with its chief executive officer and chair. Mentioned a new framework document that defines responsibilities and accountabilities between the Government and the Post Office, along with an open and transparent information-sharing agreement. Announced plans to meet the Communication Workers Union at the end of the month to understand postmasters' views and track progress through quarterly ministerial meetings. Reassured Members about the Government's commitment to ensuring follow-through on lessons learned from litigation.

Asked whether wrongful convictions should be overturned as a priority, highlighting that this is necessary for learning lessons and moving forward.

Requested to give way but was denied due to time constraints.