Government to quash wrongful convictions for postmasters

Rishi Sunak has announced he will exonerate postmasters who were wrongfully convicted as a result of errors in the Post Office’s Horizon software.

The Prime Minister announced legislation that will overturn convictions later this year, and ensure victims are compensated; payments will be expedited for postmasters who first took legal action against the Post Office, with a total of at least £600,000 allocated for compensation.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

“This is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in this country’s history, with hundreds of people having their lives ruined and reputations dragged through mud.

“Too many still have wrongful convictions tied to their name, and we cannot continue to fail them.

“We must do everything we can to exonerate and compensate these innocent people, and make sure they finally get the justice they deserve.”

Pressure has risen on government to act in favour of postmasters, following a recently broadcast ITV dramatisation of the scandal. Postmasters were blamed for accounting errors caused by the Horizon software mandated by the Post Office which pursued prosecutions or demanded repayments of thousands of pounds of allegedly missing money, despite senior leadership being aware of flaws in the programme.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk said:

“Fairness is a core pillar of our justice system and there can be no doubt hundreds of innocent post-masters and mistresses have suffered an intolerable miscarriage of justice at the hands of the Post Office.

“These are truly exceptional circumstances, and we must right this wrong quickly, ensuring those convicted can be fairly and swiftly compensated.”

Minister for Postal Affairs Kevin Hollinrake said:

“Postmasters have been fighting for years to get the justice they deserve, and today’s announcement will ensure wrongful convictions are overturned and swifter access to compensation.

“The Post Office Horizon Scandal is widely described as the biggest miscarriage of justice in our history and it’s important that steps like we’ve announced today are being taken to right the wrongs of the past.”

Sir Wyn Williams’ Inquiry, set up in 2020 to look at issues of governance in the Post Office, will continue its vital work and provide a full public record of how this miscarriage of justice was able to take place.