Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Horizon: Prosecution of Postmasters

Wednesday 24 January 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions with the Advocate General for Scotland on the prosecution of postmasters using Horizon IT system evidence are ongoing.
  • Officials are working with counterparts from the devolved Administrations to understand legislative options available in respective jurisdictions.
  • The UK Government prioritizes ensuring justice for all sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted across the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The question arises from concerns over the wrongful prosecution of sub-postmasters using evidence from the Horizon IT system, affecting communities across Scotland. The issue dates back to 2013 when Ministers were made aware of potential unsafe prosecutions.

Question

Whether he has had recent discussions with the Advocate General for Scotland on the prosecution of postmasters using evidence from the Horizon IT system. In Scotland, these prosecutions were carried out by the Crown Office and the procurator fiscal. Ministers of the Crown were made aware of concerns around potentially unsafe prosecutions in 2013. Can the Minister tell the House why it took so long for the prosecutions to be halted and for previous convictions to be reviewed?

Answer from John Lamont

The ongoing situation with the Post Office and Horizon is clearly very serious. We need to ensure that all sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted finally get justice, no matter where they reside in the UK. My officials are working at pace with the office of the Advocate General and other key UK Government Departments to consider the issues around wrongful convictions. The administration of justice is devolved but the UK Government are in contact with the Scottish Government to explore the most effective way to exonerate and compensate those innocent people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific reason for the delay in halting wrongful prosecutions or reviewing past convictions.

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Q2 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Justice & Courts
Context

The issue concerns the wrongful prosecution of sub-postmasters using evidence from the Horizon IT system, affecting communities in Scotland. The First Minister initially claimed that he would be happy for this Parliament to legislate for every victim across the UK, but his Lord Advocate then said she does not support blanket exoneration.

Question

The scandal of the unjustified prosecution of sub-postmasters the length and breadth of this country is almost beyond words. Although it should not have taken a TV drama to get action, it is good that those found guilty in England will now have their convictions quashed, but meanwhile, in Scotland, we are no clearer on how those wrongly convicted will get justice. What is the Minister doing to ensure that those who were wrongly convicted in Scotland finally get the justice they deserve?

Answer from John Lamont

Officials from the UK Government are working with their counterparts from the various devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Government, to fully understand the legislative options that are available across the respective jurisdictions. I reassure the hon. Member that it remains a priority for all concerned to ensure that those sub-postmasters receive justice and compensation as quickly as possible, irrespective of where they live in the United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific actions or timelines for ensuring Scottish sub-postmasters receive justice.

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Q3 Michael Shanks Lab Rutherglen
Crime & Law Enforcement Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

The question arises from concerns over the wrongful prosecution of sub-postmasters using evidence from the Horizon IT system, affecting communities across Scotland. The issue involves the devolved nature of justice in Scotland and the conflicting statements from Scottish Government officials.

Question

I pass the thoughts of the Opposition to the Secretary of State at this difficult time, and join the Minister in his comments about all those affected by flooding. The scandal of the unjustified prosecution of sub-postmasters the length and breadth of this country is almost beyond words. Although it should not have taken a TV drama to get action, it is good that those found guilty in England will now have their convictions quashed, but meanwhile, in Scotland, we are no clearer on how those wrongly convicted will get justice. What is the Minister doing to ensure that those who were wrongly convicted in Scotland finally get the justice they deserve?

Answer from John Lamont

Officials from the UK Government are working with their counterparts from the various devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Government, to fully understand the legislative options that are available across the respective jurisdictions. I reassure the hon. Member that it remains a priority for all concerned to ensure that those sub-postmasters receive justice and compensation as quickly as possible, irrespective of where they live in the United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific actions or timelines for ensuring Scottish sub-postmasters receive justice.

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