The firm at the center of the Post Office scandal, Fujitsu, has been revealed to have held more than £3.4 billion in contracts linked to the Treasury since 2019. This comes after the faulty Horizon system, built by Fujitsu, led to the wrongful imprisonment of hundreds of Post Office workers. MPs have recently uncovered these figures, shedding light on the tech giant's deals with public organizations related to the Treasury.
Scandal Exposed in ITV Drama
The scrutiny surrounding the scandal intensified following its dramatization in ITV's Mr. Bates Vs The Post Office. Fujitsu has faced accusations of a cover-up, and ministers are pushing for the Japanese firm to bear the financial responsibility if the ongoing inquiry finds them at fault. The revelations of the company's contracts with public organizations linked to the Treasury further add to the controversy.
£1.4 Billion in Fresh Deals
Despite a high court ruling in 2019 that found the IT system responsible for the scandal, Fujitsu struck fresh deals worth approximately £1.4 billion with public organizations. Additionally, contracts worth over £2 billion were agreed upon before 2019 and remained active afterward, according to the Commons Treasury Committee. MPs on the committee have written to several organizations, including HM Revenue and Customs, the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Bank of England, demanding details of their agreements with Fujitsu.
Further Transparency and Scrutiny
Committee chairwoman and Tory MP Harriett Baldwin stated that the information unearthed by the committee goes beyond what is currently known by the Cabinet Office. She hopes that this new information will enhance transparency and scrutiny regarding Fujitsu's role as a supplier to the public sector. The ongoing statutory inquiry aims to establish the full facts surrounding the scandal.
Fujitsu's Response and Government Review
Fujitsu has expressed its "deepest apologies" to the victims of the scandal and has committed to contributing to compensation payments for those wrongfully convicted. The government has welcomed Fujitsu's decision to pause bidding for work with new government customers until the inquiry concludes. The conduct and commercial performance of Fujitsu will continue to be reviewed by the government.
