Victims affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal are expressing dissatisfaction with the compensation schemes, describing them as even more unjust than the original wrongdoing, according to a leaked letter that has caused a stir.
Baroness Newlove, the Victims Commissioner, conveyed her shock to Post Office minister Blair McDougall, reporting that postmasters who suffered injustice found the compensation offers to be woefully inadequate. The process was criticized as contentious, resembling a battle with an insurance company, as outlined in the leaked missive to Sky News.
In the letter, Baroness Newlove urged the Government to refrain from employing commercial tactics such as presenting low initial settlements, deeming it unsuitable when dealing with traumatized victims. She proposed a more empathetic approach, suggesting that seeking additional information before making an offer would be more respectful to the victims. Additionally, she raised concerns that subpostmasters were feeling pressured not to pursue compensation.
The correspondence highlighted the dismay among victims regarding the Government’s collaboration with Fujitsu, the provider of the flawed software. This letter was dispatched on October 3, prompting subsequent actions by the Government in alignment with the recommendations issued by Horizon Inquiry chairman Sir Wyn Williams, particularly concerning compensation matters.
The scandal, which falsely incriminated around 1,000 postmasters due to system errors, had severe repercussions, with a notable number of individuals, including family members, reportedly taking their own lives in the aftermath. The inquiry revealed that many individuals affected by the scandal had considered suicide, emphasizing the extensive emotional toll inflicted.
Despite the Government’s acceptance of the majority of the recommendations, concerns persist regarding the flawed compensation schemes and the Post Office’s contentious stance, leading many claimants to accept lower settlements than they deserved. Public outrage surged following the broadcast of the ITV drama “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office,” shedding light on the victims’ struggle for justice.
The Post Office responded by emphasizing their support for postmasters in submitting claims to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, providing assistance through Area Managers and a dedicated support team. They pledged to launch a national campaign to encourage all current and former postmasters to submit their claims promptly.
Fujitsu affirmed their commitment to cooperating with the government and abiding by the voluntary restrictions in place during the ongoing Post Office Inquiry. They are actively engaged in discussions regarding Fujitsu’s role in the compensation process.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Department for Business and Trade are underway.
