Victims impacted by the Post Office Horizon scandal are expressing dissatisfaction with the compensation procedures, labeling them as more unjust than the original wrongdoing, according to a leaked letter. In the letter addressed to Post Office minister Blair McDougall, Victims Commissioner Baroness Newlove expressed astonishment at the feedback she received. Postmasters who were wronged conveyed their discontent with the meager compensation offers they were presented with, deeming them as disrespectful. The commissioner highlighted that some individuals found the compensation process to be confrontational, likening it to a contentious battle with an insurance firm. The leaked letter, revealed by Sky News, emphasized that rather than providing closure, the compensation process was perceived as equally if not more distressing than the initial investigation, prosecution, and injustice.
Baroness Newlove urged the Government to refrain from employing “commercial tactics” such as proposing low initial settlements, asserting that such approaches are unsuitable when dealing with traumatized victims. She suggested that it would be more appropriate to seek additional information before making an offer that is likely to offend the victim. Additionally, the commissioner cautioned that current subpostmasters were feeling pressured not to pursue compensation claims.
Concerns were raised to Mr. McDougall regarding the discontent among victims over the Government’s continued collaboration with Fujitsu, the company responsible for the faulty software. The letter, dated October 3, highlighted these grievances. Subsequently, the Government has indicated its willingness to adopt most of the recommendations made by Horizon Inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams, particularly regarding compensation.
The scandal led to the prosecution and conviction of approximately 1,000 postmasters due to inaccuracies in the IT system, which falsely indicated cash discrepancies in their branches. Sir Wyn’s report, released in July, underscored the devastating repercussions on those affected, including family members of the wrongly accused individuals. The report highlighted the distressing revelation that at least 13 victims may have taken their own lives directly as a consequence of the scandal. Sir Wyn also disclosed evidence suggesting that around 59 individuals contemplated suicide due to the Horizon scandal, emphasizing the challenges in accurately determining the full extent of the suffering experienced.
The inquiry report underscored the flaws in the compensation schemes, noting that individuals accepted lower settlements than they deserved due to the Post Office’s combative stance. Public outrage escalated following the broadcast of the ITV drama “Mr. Bates Vs The Post Office” last year, which portrayed the victims’ fight for justice. Responding to the leaked letter, a Post Office spokesperson emphasized the institution’s active support for all colleagues, particularly those who directly engaged with postmasters, to encourage them to file claims under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme if they believe they suffered losses in the past.
Fujitsu affirmed its commitment to cooperating with the government during the ongoing Post Office Inquiry, ensuring compliance with voluntary restrictions on bidding for new contracts. The company stated its engagement with the government regarding its role in the compensation process. The Mirror has reached out to the Department for Business and Trade for comments on the matter.
