The Post Office was aware of issues with evidence against a postmaster before his conviction for his wife’s murder, as revealed by documents from an inquiry. Robin Garbutt, aged 60, was convicted of killing his wife Diana in 2011. An internal Post Office email highlighted problems with transaction records in the Audit Record Query (ARQ) system prior to Garbutt’s trial. The email mentioned concerns about the accuracy of information used in expert witness statements for criminal cases involving postmasters.
The email requested information on ARQs and statements presented to the court for ongoing cases, including the one involving Garbutt. The email also mentioned the need for corrective action by Fujitsu. Garbutt’s legal team argued that the flawed Post Office data led to unfair questioning during his trial, casting doubt on the fairness of the proceedings.
Despite the release of the full email chain on ARQ issues by the Inquiry in August 2025, the Criminal Case Review Commission previously did not consider the computer evidence significant enough to challenge Garbutt’s murder conviction. Responding to inquiries about the latest email chain, the Commission spokesperson cited legal restrictions on sharing operational details.
Agnes Gaylor, Diana Garbutt’s mother, maintained that justice was served in her daughter’s case. She expressed skepticism about efforts to overturn Robin Garbutt’s conviction, suggesting he was leveraging the Horizon scandal for personal gain.
Garbutt has appealed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission chair, Dame Vera Baird, seeking support in rectifying what he considers a wrongful conviction. He emphasized his ongoing fight for justice, pointing out what he believes are flaws in the prosecution’s case against him.
In his plea to Dame Vera Baird, Garbutt highlighted discrepancies in the evidence presented during his trial, indicating the mishandling of crucial information by the Post Office. He urged a review of his case and expressed confidence in the Court of Appeal’s ability to deliver justice.
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