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MPs urge Fujitsu to make ‘immediate’ payment to Post Office Horizon victims
TL;DR
MPs are urging Fujitsu to make an immediate payment to compensate victims of the Post Office IT scandal. The faulty Horizon software led to wrongful prosecutions of branch operators in what is considered a major miscarriage of justice in the UK.
Key points
- MPs urge Fujitsu for immediate compensation payments
- Fujitsu supplied faulty Horizon software to the UK Post Office
- Scandal led to wrongful prosecutions of branch operators
- Described as the worst miscarriage of justice in British history
- Thousands of Post Office operators are still awaiting redress
Mentioned in this story
FujitsuPost OfficeLiam ByrneLabour
The Japanese tech company at the centre of the Post Office IT scandal is facing calls from a parliamentary committee to make an “immediate” payment towards the compensation bill for victims.
Fujitsu supplied the faulty Horizon software to the UK Post Office, which led to branch operators being wrongly prosecuted over discrepancies in their business accounts.
The scandal has been described as the worst miscarriage of justice in British history and was the subject of the acclaimed ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office. Thousands of post office operators are waiting for redress.
Liam Byrne, the Labour MP who chairs the business and trade committee, said “justice delayed has become justice denied” for too many victims, and urged the government to “do whatever” it took to help them.
“Years after this scandal was exposed, far too many people are still waiting for the redress they deserve,” he said.
“The government must now throw whatever resource is needed at these schemes to ensure every outstanding Horizon shortfall claim is settled by the end of this year. Complexity is no longer an excuse for delay.”
Byrne said Fujitsu must “stop sitting on the sidelines”, adding: “It is extraordinary that a company at the heart of the greatest miscarriage of justice in British history has still failed to set out either the scale or the timetable for its contribution to compensation.
“It should make an immediate interim payment, commit to a timetable for meeting its full liability, and help bring this shameful chapter to a close.”
The tech company is negotiating a settlement with the UK government, but has not yet contributed towards the £1.5bn compensation bill for victims, footed by UK taxpayers, even though it admitted it had known since the 1990s that the Horizon system was faulty.
There are three Horizon-related redress schemes for victims: the Horizon shortfall scheme (HSS), the group litigation order and the Horizon convictions redress scheme.
Q&A
What is the Post Office Horizon scandal?
The Post Office Horizon scandal involves the wrongful prosecution of branch operators due to discrepancies caused by faulty software supplied by Fujitsu.
Who is calling for Fujitsu to compensate Post Office victims?
Liam Byrne, the Labour MP and chair of the business and trade committee, is leading calls for Fujitsu to make immediate payments to the victims.
What has been the impact of the Horizon software on Post Office operators?
The faulty Horizon software led to wrongful prosecutions, causing significant harm and financial loss to thousands of Post Office operators.
Why is the Post Office scandal considered a miscarriage of justice?
It is deemed the worst miscarriage of justice in British history due to the wrongful convictions and the ongoing struggle for redress faced by the victims.
