Metropolitan Police Investigate Possible Fraud Offences in Post Office Scandal
The Post Office Horizon IT scandal, which led to the faulty conviction of over 700 sub-postmasters for financial crimes, is now under a Metropolitan Police fraud investigation.
These convictions over a 15-year period stand as the UK's most egregious instance of widespread injustice.
The Met Police are delving into the possibility that the Post Office executed fraudulent prosecutions, specifically exploring whether recovered monies from sub-postmasters through prosecutions or civil actions were illicit.
Existing probes include potential perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Post Office's internal investigations and legal actions. Two individuals have been interviewed since the inquiry commenced in January 2020, but there have been no arrests.
Following the ITV series "Mr Bates vs the Post Office: The Real Story," which highlights the struggle of sub-postmaster Alan Bates, 50 additional potential victims have emerged. The mini-series significantly boosted awareness, leading to fresh claims.
While the Post Office refrains from commenting on ongoing police inquiries, it has urged those who believe they were falsely convicted to appeal.
However, many victims have been left bankrupt or ostracized, with 93 having their convictions quashed and only 27 reaching full settlements. Yet others have missed their chance at justice, with some dying before their names could be cleared.
A public inquiry into the scandal remains active, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently emphasized the importance of continuing support for affected individuals.
The series' impact on public sentiment and the push for compensation is evident, with calls for speeding up bureaucratic processes to ensure timely payments. The Post Office affirms its cooperation with the inquiry, aiming to uncover the historical failings and establish accountability.
The Met Police are delving into the possibility that the Post Office executed fraudulent prosecutions, specifically exploring whether recovered monies from sub-postmasters through prosecutions or civil actions were illicit.
Existing probes include potential perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Post Office's internal investigations and legal actions. Two individuals have been interviewed since the inquiry commenced in January 2020, but there have been no arrests.
Following the ITV series "Mr Bates vs the Post Office: The Real Story," which highlights the struggle of sub-postmaster Alan Bates, 50 additional potential victims have emerged. The mini-series significantly boosted awareness, leading to fresh claims.
While the Post Office refrains from commenting on ongoing police inquiries, it has urged those who believe they were falsely convicted to appeal.
However, many victims have been left bankrupt or ostracized, with 93 having their convictions quashed and only 27 reaching full settlements. Yet others have missed their chance at justice, with some dying before their names could be cleared.
A public inquiry into the scandal remains active, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently emphasized the importance of continuing support for affected individuals.
The series' impact on public sentiment and the push for compensation is evident, with calls for speeding up bureaucratic processes to ensure timely payments. The Post Office affirms its cooperation with the inquiry, aiming to uncover the historical failings and establish accountability.
