Latest news with #subPostmasters
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Police identify seven suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal inquiry
Police investigating the Post Office Horizon scandal have identified seven suspects, and more than 45 'people of interest'. Commander Stephen Clayman said police are 'making some real progress' but warned it would take time as they widen the investigation from people 'involved in the immediate decision-making'. Criminal trials stemming from the scandal might not get underway until 2028, he said. The investigation, known as Operation Olympos, is focusing on potential crimes of perjury and perverting the court of justice, linked to the wrongful prosecutions of sub-postmasters and the wider presentation of the Horizon IT system. 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. Police have described the investigation as 'unprecedented in scope and size, with potentially more than 3,000 victims. The inquiry has gathered more than 1.5 million documents to be reviewed, and several forces across the UK are involved. No decision will be made over potential criminal charges until the public inquiry into the scandal has published its final report and investigators have 'thoroughly reviewed' its contents. Former sub-postmaster Tim Brentnall told the BBC that victims were 'desperate to see some kind of accountability', but backed the need for police to 'do it properly'. In March 2024, the government passed historic legislation to clear wrongfully convicted individuals. According to the latest official figures, just over £1bn has been paid out in compensation to more than 7,300 claimants up to 2 June. Hundreds of sub-postmasters are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government saying that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts. The scandal is one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British legal history. A Post Office spokesperson said: 'Post Office has co-operated fully and openly with the Metropolitan Police since early 2020 to provide whatever information it needs for its investigations.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Post Office scandal culprits ‘may not face justice before 2028'
Those responsible for the Post Office Horizon scandal may not face justice until 2028, the police officer leading the investigation has warned. Commander Stephen Clayman said it will take longer for criminal trials to begin as police widen the investigation beyond people 'involved in the immediate decision-making'. 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 Post Office accounts. Hundreds of wrongly convicted sub-postmasters are still awaiting compensation despite the previous government saying that those who have had their convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts. The scandal marked one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British legal history. It is understood that dozens of people have been classed as persons of interest in the investigation, with seven suspects identified. However, Mr Clayman told the BBC: 'The teams need to be really meticulous and pay attention to detail. 'We are beginning to scope, looking at wider management. That will happen and is happening – it will just take time to get there.' Victims 'desperate for accountability' The investigation, known as Operation Olympos, has focused on perjury and perverting the court of justice during the wrongful prosecutions of sub-postmasters and the wider presentation of the Horizon IT system. Police have described the inquiry as 'unprecedented' in size, with more than 3,000 potential victims and 1.5 million documents to be reviewed as evidence. No decision about potential criminal charges will be made until the scandal's public inquiry has published its final report and investigators have 'thoroughly reviewed' its contents. Tim Brentnall, a former sub-postmaster, said victims were 'desperate to see some kind of accountability', but supported the need for police to 'do it properly'. A spokesman for the Post Office said: 'Post Office has co-operated fully and openly with the Metropolitan Police since early 2020 to provide whatever information it needs for its investigations.'
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Hundreds of Post Office data breach victims to receive compensation
The Post Office is set to compensate hundreds of former sub-postmasters whose personal information was inadvertently leaked online, the BBC has reported. The data breach, which occurred last June, exposed the names and addresses of 555 individuals caught up in the Horizon IT scandal. The Post Office has confirmed that individual compensation payouts will be capped at £5,000, with victims receiving either £5,000 or £3,500 depending on whether the leaked address was their current residence. While the capped amount offers a base level of redress, the Post Office has indicated that individuals may still pursue claims for higher compensation. This incident follows the widespread Horizon scandal, where faulty accounting software led to wrongful prosecutions of numerous sub-postmasters. The statement said: 'We have written to all named individuals either directly, or via their solicitors. 'If there are any individuals whose name was impacted by last year's breach, but who have not received information about the payment for some reason, they can contact us or ask their solicitors if they have legal representation.' Law firm Freeths told the BBC that 348 clients who had their data breached had already received payment. Lawyer Will Richmond-Coggan said: 'We welcome the progress we have made with this case, but there is still a long way to go to recognise the devastating impact of this breach for those affected.'
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Post Office data breach: Hundreds of victims to get compensation
The Post Office has agreed compensation for hundreds of former sub-postmasters after accidentally leaking their names and addresses on its corporate data breach was revealed in June last year when it emerged the personal details of 555 victims of the Horizon IT scandal had been company has now confirmed individual payouts of up to £5,000 with the potential for higher sums for those who want to pursue a further Post Office has already apologised and said it was working in "full co-operation" with the Information Commissioner's Office. The sub-postmasters' details were published in a document on its the time, then-Post Office chief executive Nick Read said the leak was a "truly terrible error".The law firm Freeths, which acted for the 555 sub-postmasters when they sued the Post Office in a landmark High Court case in 2017, said it had secured the payouts on behalf of all those affected and their legal the 420 victims Freeths represents in the ongoing and separate battle for compensation from the scandal, 348 have already received payouts for the sub-postmaster Chris Head welcomed the Post Office admitting the data breach mistake, but said they took "far too long to right this wrong"."We cannot underestimate the level of pain, anxiety, stress and worry that so many people have had to suffer through this new episode. Post Office did not seem to understand how much this impacted those people. They appeared unwilling to engage in genuine discussions until further action was on the table."The impact on myself and my family has been profound on top of an already traumatic past 10 years due to the Horizon scandal."The Post Office said victims would be paid either £5,000 or £3,500, depending on whether the individual was also living at the address at the a statement it also confirmed it would consider any special cases if individuals believe they are entitled to further amounts."We have written to all named individuals either directly, or via their solicitors. If there are any individuals whose name was impacted by last year's breach, but who have not received information about the payment for some reason, they can contact us or ask their solicitors if they have legal representation," it lawyer who led the case on behalf of the sub-postmasters said the agreement was struck without the need for any claims to be submitted but also allowed victims the opportunity to pursue further action. "We welcome the progress we have made with this case but there is still a long way to go to recognise the devastating impact of this breach for those affected," said Will Richmond-Coggan, Freeths' partner specialising in data breach litigation.
