'We're still at war': Jo Hamilton ‘vindicated' by OBE but vows to continue Horizon scandal fight
A former subpostmistress who was a victim of the Horizon IT scandal said she feels 'vindicated' after being made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE), but "can't rest" until everyone affected has been paid compensation.
Jo Hamilton, a lead campaigner for Post Office victims, received her OBE for services to justice.
More than 900 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015, after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts.
A former sub-postmistress, Jo Hamilton was falsely prosecuted when a £36,000 shortfall was calculated by Horizon software at her Post Office branch in Hampshire, in 2006.
Her story was featured in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, where she was played by Monica Dolan.
On Thursday, Hamilton said being honoured for services to justice by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace was 'beautiful'.
'I feel honoured to be honoured, but the fight continues," said the former sub-postmistress.
'We're still at war until the rest of the postmasters are paid, which is just awful.'
She added: 'I do feel vindicated but I can't rest.
'You'd think that after everything that this is the cherry on the cake but I can't stop because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my colleagues.'
Hamilton continued: 'Everyone needs to be paid what's right and let everyone get on with their lives because we're all running out of road.
'I'm 22 years older than when it started, I shouldn't have to still be fighting.'
On receiving the letter about her honour, she said: 'You can't mistake the envelope, I knew it was something important.
'It was lovely to receive and it's just another step on my journey to get proper redress for everybody.'
The Government announced earlier this month that more than £1 billion has been paid out to sub-postmasters across the Horizon-related schemes.
But the compensation scheme has been criticised for moving too slowly, or offering far less than sub-postmasters believe they are entitled to.
Many are still awaiting compensation.
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