Ministers are working on emergency legislation to clear the names of hundreds of postmasters who were wrongly convicted in the Horizon IT scandal. The government is considering fast-track appeals for the 750 postmasters who were affected by the faulty software. Postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake has pledged to compensate every victim and stated that the government has a clear moral duty to act. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also expressed support for an investigation into the CBE given to former Post Office boss Paula Vennells.
Options Being Explored
The government is exploring various options to help the convicted postmasters clear their names. This includes new legislation and the potential removal of the Post Office's prosecution powers. The High Court has seen sub-postmasters seeking justice for the wrongful convictions they faced due to the faulty Horizon IT software developed by Fujitsu. Last week's screening of ITV's drama "Mr Bates vs The Post Office" has renewed public outcry over the scandal.
Moral Duty to Right the Wrongs
Kevin Hollinrake emphasized that overturning convictions is crucial for unlocking compensation for the victims. The government aims to rectify the situation as quickly as possible and is working on options to achieve this. Hollinrake plans to provide an update to the Commons this week. He also stated that the government recognizes its clear moral duty to fully compensate the victims for their losses and the suffering they have endured.
Call to Strip Paula Vennells of CBE
A petition calling for Paula Vennells, the former CEO of the Post Office, to be stripped of her CBE has reached one million signatures. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed strong support for an investigation into the matter. The scandal has also raised questions about Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey's role as postal affairs minister from 2010 to 2012, as well as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's tenure as director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013.
