“Bitter spat” must not distract from justice for Horizon Post Office victims – Carmichael

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today pressed ministers on the need to ensure that late claims in response to the Horizon Post Office scandal will be properly supported, and warned that the “bitter spat” between ministers and former executives should not distract from securing justice.

The exchanges came during a ministerial statement, in which the Business Secretary responded to claims by the former Post Office chair Henry Staunton that he was told to delay compensation payments for sub-postmasters in order to allow the government to “limp into the election”.

Between 1999 and 2015, hundreds of sub-postmasters and postmistresses were wrongly prosecuted after a faulty computer system called Horizon made it look like money was missing from their branches. Some sub-postmasters wrongfully went to prison, many were financially ruined. Some have since died, including Orkney sub-postmistress Elena Kimmett, who was not prosecuted but paid for shortfalls from her own pocket.

The government has promised to quash convictions and pay compensation, but concerns have been raised over the speed and complexity in victims securing financial redress, with just 33 claims fully settled.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“Whatever the reason for it, I can tell the Secretary of State, having supported constituents in negotiations in relation to the Historic Shortfall Scheme, that the conduct of the Post Office and of their agents in that was one which was characterised by delay and obstruction. That in turn led to a view taking hold amongst sub-postmasters that there was no point in making claims.

“Since the ITV drama was aired I have heard from a number of constituents in my own area that have made claims belatedly. So, what more is the government doing to ensure that everybody who is out there who may have a claim is actually going to be able to pursue it?”

Responding for the government,

“I think the fixed sum awards are showing that this is a matter that we are taking very seriously. I became Secretary of State in February of last year and my one priority is to make sure that people got their compensation as quickly as possible. I did everything that I possibly could, with the post office minister who I want to thank for his tireless efforts. He had been looking at the portfolio before I got the job as Business Secretary. We work together as a team and we have fought to make sure that people got the compensation that they deserve. We brought legislation in well before the ITV drama and we will continue doing that.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“The bitter spat now playing out in public between ministers and former executives suggests that we are still far from fixing the culture in both the government and the Post Office. The drama of claims and counterclaims cannot be allowed to distract anyone from the task of bringing justice and recompense for everyone affected by the Horizon scandal.

“I will continue to support anyone in the isles who may have a claim. This scandal must be resolved once and for all so that we can rebuild trust in the Post Office from the ground up.”