Carmichael raises “embarrassing” government briefing on Horizon exoneration plans

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today in Parliament raised a government briefing document which warned of the “risks” of speaking about the exact number of Horizon cases which are expected to be overturned by new legislation. Mr Carmichael warned that the revelation demonstrated the view of officials “that accountability and transparency are some sort of problem”, and that it reinforced the need for oversight to be taken away from both the Post Office and the Business and Trade Department, and run independently.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“Can I also thank the minister for advance sight not just of his statement, but also somewhat unusually, the government’s line to take. That latter document includes this passage:

“‘So far, we have identified up to around 800 cases that are potentially in scope [Note: if we use this number in public, we are going to get held to it. There is a risk that we may deliver fewer overturns or award redress fewer individuals, we will then have to explain that.]’ (Brackets in original document)

“If it is the view of officials in the minister’s department that accountability and transparency are some sort of problem, then does he really think that they are the people who are best placed to exercise oversight of the compensation scheme, and should that not be put in the hands of someone who is independent of both the government and the Post Office?”

Responding for the government, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake MP said:

“It is interesting the figure he uses and the document he references, I wasn’t aware that he had that. Interestingly I actually read that line, and there might be an indication of that in my comments as I mentioned that exact figure in my previous comments. I’m not afraid to be accountable or transparent about any of the compensation schemes.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“The minister may not be afraid of accountability – I know he has been diligent about Horizon issues in his time in office – but clearly there is instinctive reticence amongst his officials to come clean about the facts. This embarrassing revelation is merely the latest example.

“The only way that the public are going to have their faith restored in the Post Office and the wider government approach to justice is through absolute transparency. We need a complete commitment to swift and comprehensive justice for postmasters now.”

A new law will be introduced to clear the names of the hundreds of wrongly convicted sub-postmasters in England and Wales, with the government cooperating on legislation in Scotland.

Those wrongly convicted will get an option to settle for £600,000, without the need to bring a formal claim. There will also be "enhanced" financial redress for sub-postmasters who made good the apparent losses caused by the Horizon system from their own pockets. They will be entitled to a fixed sum of £75,000 through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.

Sub-postmasters who have already settled for less money will have their compensation topped up to this level, and people can instead choose to have their claims assessed as part of the usual scheme process, in which there is no limit to compensation.

The new scheme will be run by the Department for Business and Trade.