6:39 am - February 13, 2025
The government continues to subject former sub-postmasters to unnecessary hardship as they seek financial redress for the wrongful accusations and suffering caused by the faulty Horizon computer system, according to Sir Alan Bates, a prominent campaigner for justice in the Post Office scandal. Speaking to Sky News, Sir Alan criticized government officials for being out of touch with the reality of the victims’ struggles, accusing them of living in “ivory towers” while the victims endure “hell day after day, year after year.” His remarks come as more than 240 former sub-postmasters remain without compensation, years after their High Court victory exposed the Horizon system’s flaws. The emotional toll of this prolonged ordeal was tragically highlighted by the recent passing of Terry Walters, a former sub-postmaster from Cheshire, who died without receiving the redress he deserved. His wife, Janet, now carries on the fight for justice in his memory.
Between 1999 and 2015, hundreds of sub-postmasters were falsely accused of stealing money from their branches due to errors in the Horizon system, which was supposed to manage Post Office finances. Many of these individuals faced financial ruin, reputational damage, and immense emotional distress as a result of these baseless accusations. Despite winning their legal battle, many are still waiting for fair compensation, with some facing the prospect of waiting until 2027 to receive their payments. Sir Alan Bates, who has been a driving force behind the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance (JFSA), expressed frustration over the government’s slow progress in resolving these cases. He argues that the current system is failing victims, many of whom are elderly and have spent years fighting for justice. Sir Alan has accused officials of offering little more than empty promises, with victims often being pressured to accept inadequate settlements to avoid further delays.
In an effort to expedite the redress process, Sir Alan proposed a “compulsory mediation scheme” in a letter to the Post Office minister in January. This scheme would aim to resolve disputes without the need for lengthy legal battles, potentially cutting through the bureaucratic red tape that has delayed compensation for so many. Sir Alan suggested that mediation should be initiated within four weeks of a victim rejecting an initial financial offer, with the goal of reaching a swift and fair resolution. He emphasized the need to minimize the involvement of lawyers, citing the exorbitant costs and delays they often introduce. Sir Alan also called for mediations to be conducted by a neutral third party and to be strictly time-limited to ensure progress. He described the current state of redress as “unacceptable” and urged immediate action, stating that “far too many have already died along the way” while waiting for justice. He also criticized a 40-day delay in processing claims, calling it “extremely unfair” and stressing that the issue must be resolved now to prevent further suffering.
In response to Sir Alan’s correspondence, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds wrote to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and expressed optimism that all Group Litigation Order (GLO) claims could be settled by the end of 2023. Reynolds stated that the government is committed to handling claims promptly and expected payments for complete claims submitted by the end of last year to be made by the end of March. However, Sir Alan has previously called for a deadline of March 2025 for all payments to be made, arguing that the current pace is too slow and continues to cause unnecessary stress for victims. Reynolds countered that setting a deadline could “run counter” to efforts to ease the strain on vulnerable claimants, potentially damaging their mental health and limiting their ability to secure full redress. Despite these differences, both sides agree that the victims deserve closure as soon as possible. Reynolds also invited Sir Alan to a meeting to discuss practical ways to improve the redress process for the GLO group.
The Department for Business and Trade has acknowledged the tireless efforts of Sir Alan Bates and the JFSA, praising their dedication to securing justice for the thousands of sub-postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal. A spokesperson for the department emphasized that postmasters have already waited far too long for justice and that officials are working “relentlessly” to provide full and fair redress. They noted that the number of payments made has doubled since July, signaling progress, but many victims and campaigners argue that this progress is insufficient. Sir Alan and others continue to push for a more efficient and compassionate approach to the redress process, insisting that the government must do more to address the ongoing suffering of those affected by the scandal.
In conclusion, the Post Office Horizon scandal has left a deep scar on the lives of hundreds of sub-postmasters, many of whom are still waiting for the justice and compensation they deserve. While the government has made some progress in addressing these cases, the slow pace of redress and the emotional toll on victims remain significant concerns. Campaigners like Sir Alan Bates continue to advocate for a more urgent and compassionate approach, calling on officials to take concrete steps to end the years of suffering endured by these innocent individuals. The government must prioritize their needs and ensure that the promised redress is delivered swiftly and fairly, bringing much-needed closure to those who have endured so much.