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Tuesday, Nov 03, 2026

Post Office Scandal: Capture IT System Likely Caused Shortfalls

An investigation found that the Capture accounting system used by Post Office sub-postmasters from 1992 to 1999 likely had faults causing financial shortfalls. Minister Gareth Thomas was horrified, and the Post Office apologized, promising rectifications. The probe by Kroll mirrored the harm caused by the subsequent Horizon system, which led to wrongful prosecutions. The government will review the findings and act by December.
A new investigation has revealed that Capture, an accounting system used by Post Office sub-postmasters from 1992 to 1999 before the controversial Horizon software, was likely faulty and could have caused cash shortfalls.

Post Office minister Gareth Thomas expressed horror at these issues, though the Post Office has since apologized and committed to rectifying the wrongs.

Neil Hudgell of Hudgell Solicitors, representing sub-postmasters affected, emphasized the need for swift action and compensation.

Conducted by Kroll, the investigation mirrored the devastation caused by the later Horizon IT system, which wrongfully prosecuted over 900 sub-postmasters from 1999 to 2015.

Capture was an in-house development and its bugs were acknowledged internally, leading to significant prosecutorial and financial impacts on sub-postmasters.

The government plans to review the findings and announce further actions in December.
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