Post Office spent ?132m defending itself at Horizon inquiry
Post Office spent ?132m defending itself at inquiry
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The Post Office has spent ?132m of taxpayer money defending itself at the inquiry into the wrongful conviction of hundreds of sub-postmasters, according to the latest available figures. The revelation in the company's annual report comes after the two-and-a-half years of evidence hearings for the inquiry ended this week. The figure covers the legal and running costs from its start up until 31 March 2024, but it does not include money spent after that date. Post Office chairman Nigel Railton said that the Post Office was "learning from the serious failings of the past".
More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted for shortfalls in their accounts caused by bugs in Fujitsu's Horizon IT system in what has been described as one of the most widespread miscarriages in British legal history. Many lost their livelihoods or were forced to make up shortfalls from their own money, while some former sub-postmasters took their own lives. The inquiry came after sub-postmasters fought for years to uncover the injustice. The Post Office's figures for legal costs related to the inquiry do not include the money it has spent paying compensation to wrongfully convicted sub-postmasters. It also said it had made provisions totalling ?816m in "exceptional expenses" for the year to 31 March 2024, which includes the legal and running costs as well as the money to be spent on compensation and overturned convictions. However, despite the expense, some sub-postmasters say they have not yet received any compensation, while others, such as Sir Alan Bates, argue what they have been offered is not enough.
Losses and debt
