Vince Cable Criticizes Post Office Managers Over Horizon IT Scandal

Sir Vince Cable criticized Post Office managers as 'thugs in suits' during an inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal, highlighting the lack of in-person meetings with campaigning MPs. Cable admitted that better communication might have expedited the resolution of the scandal, which wrongly prosecuted over 700 operators. He expressed regret over not being fully briefed on the system's risks during his tenure.

Sir Vince Cable, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and business secretary from 2010 to 2015, described Post Office managers as 'thugs in suits' during an inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.

Cable stated that none of the 140 MPs campaigning on behalf of branch owner-operators sought in-person meetings with him, which he believes could have expedited a resolution.

Despite his efforts to address Post Office issues, Cable admitted to only learning about the lead campaigner, Sir Alan Bates, shortly before leaving office and acknowledged that better communication could have potentially mitigated the injustice, which saw over 700 operators wrongly prosecuted.

Cable argued that face-to-face interactions are more effective than polite letters and expressed regret over not being thoroughly briefed on Horizon's risks.