Former Minister Advocates for Widespread Appeals Against Convictions in Post Office Scandal

Ex-cabinet minister Sir David Davis advocates for a collective appeal for the sub-postmasters affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal, as stated in a BBC interview.

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer also insists on revisiting all related cases, following a ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss name-clearing actions for the accused.

Over 700 Post Office managers were falsely charged between 1999 and 2015 due to the defective Horizon system, resulting in wrongful imprisonments and financial devastation, with some having passed away.

Out of the hundreds of convictions, only 93 have been reversed, and merely 30 people have reached final compensation deals. The scandal, highlighted by an ITV drama "Mr Bates vs The Post Office", has renewed public outrage.

Sir David questions the need for individual case evaluations, given the shared error that only branch managers had computer access, now proven untrue. He and MP Kevan Jones aim to probe a minister on this matter in the Commons.

Former DPP and Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer proposes reexamining all convictions and suggests the Post Office's prosecution rights be revoked.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering recasting the Post Office's role in appeals and expediting compensation.

A petition to strip former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells of her CBE over the scandal has garnered over a million signatures. Sub-postmistresses Tracy Felstead and Janet Skinner, both imprisoned due to the scandal, believe Vennells should voluntarily return her CBE.

While Vennells expresses regret, she maintains cooperation with the ongoing public inquiry. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police investigates the Post Office for potential fraud offenses linked to the convictions.

The compensation advisory board's chairman, Prof. Chris Hodges, suggests parliamentary legislation to overturn all convictions, claiming it wouldn't affect judicial independence. He believes acquitting a minority of possibly guilty individuals is justifiable to rectify the majority's injustice.

However, Felstead cautions against universal acquittal, highlighting the risk of absolving any actual offenders. The Post Office expresses its commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability via the public inquiry.