More than two decades after sub-postmasters first raised concerns over unexplained losses, a statutory inquiry has confirmed that both the Post Office and Fujitsu knew the Horizon IT system was faulty—yet continued prosecuting based on its data.
Around 1,000 sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted, and thousands more were suspended or dismissed. The first volume of Sir Wyn Williams’ inquiry report exposes the scandal’s devastating human toll, including financial ruin, mental health trauma, and loss of life.
At least 13 suicides may be linked to the scandal, with 59 others reporting suicidal thoughts and 10 attempting suicide. The report also condemned the Post Office’s “unnecessarily adversarial” approach to the 10,000 victims seeking compensation, calling the findings “profoundly disturbing.”
One post office operator described the trauma as “immeasurable,” citing a mental breakdown, depression, alcohol dependence, and multiple suicide attempts. According to the report, around 1,000 operators were wrongfully prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 due to faulty Horizon software, with another 50 to 60 possibly charged but not convicted.
Despite evidence of system faults, Post Office leaders insisted the data was reliable. Sir Wyn Williams received over 200 victim statements, revealing severe mental, financial, and social hardship. Many lost homes, faced bankruptcy, or became seriously ill. Some victims died before receiving compensation—estimated at around 350—with families also suffering lasting impacts.
The report revealed that around 10,000 people are now seeking compensation through four schemes—two recently merged—with over 3,000 claims still unresolved, many in early stages. Sir Wyn Williams criticised the Post Office’s “unnecessarily adversarial” approach to compensation, which often led to reduced settlements. He urged urgent action to ensure “full and fair” redress and recommended free government-funded legal advice for victims and compensation for affected family members.
The government has until 10 October to respond, and Williams called on ministers, the Post Office, and Fujitsu to outline a restorative justice programme by then. His report, based on 225 days of hearings and 298 witnesses, did not specify total payouts, but over £1 billion has reportedly been paid to 7,300 operators as of June.
Among the 17 case studies was Millie Castleton, whose father was wrongly accused. The ordeal led to bullying, depression, anorexia, and hospitalisation. She said the stigma still affects her. The scandal, long campaigned against, gained national attention through ITV’s ‘Mr Bates vs the Post Office’, prompting new legislation to exonerate victims, passed in June.
It has also been revealed that nearly 350 victims wrongly accused and persecuted, have died before receiving any compensation for the profound injustices they endured.
Horizon inquiry uncovers deep trauma
Many sub-postmasters faced financial ruin, prison, or even death while awaiting justice due to the Horizon IT scandal.
Seema Misra OBE, jailed while pregnant in 2010 after being falsely accused of stealing £74,000, was imprisoned on her son’s 10th birthday. Reflecting on the new inquiry report, she said she feels "heartbroken, angry—and happy" it’s finally out. While hopeful compensation will now be delivered faster, she rejected the Post Office’s apology: “I don’t accept it. Go behind bars and then I’ll think about it.”
Sami Sabet, once a successful businessman, pleaded guilty to fraud in 2009 to avoid jail after Horizon errors led to shortfalls in his accounts. Though his conviction was quashed in 2021, the damage lingers. He’s still awaiting full compensation and says the stress led to a heart attack, loss of vision, and lasting mental health issues.
Anjana and Baljit Sethi, who ran two branches near Romford, lost everything due to Horizon-related discrepancies. They were bankrupted, shunned, and forced into low-paid work, with their community reputation in ruins.
Former sub-postmaster Harjinder Butoy spent 18 months in prison—longer than any other victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal—after being wrongly convicted in 2007 of stealing over £200,000 from his Nottinghamshire branch.
It took 15 years to clear his name. “We lost everything,” he said, recalling how his family was forced into bankruptcy and his conviction made finding work nearly impossible.
Though exonerated in 2021, Butoy said the trauma remains. “I want people to know what we went through—and for someone responsible to face justice.”
Pramod Kalia spent 23 years living with the trauma of a wrongful conviction after being accused of stealing £22,202.01 from his post office branch. His name was eventually cleared, but the damage ran deep—he attempted suicide multiple times, his marriage nearly broke down, and he was estranged from his son for 17 years.
Attending the release of the Horizon IT Inquiry’s first report, Kalia welcomed its findings that Post Office bosses knew the software was faulty but insisted it was reliable. Yet he said the organisation was still “playing dirty tricks” on compensation.
“Someone should look me in the eye and admit they were wrong,” he said. “It feels personal—like a grudge for daring to challenge them.”
Kalia also paid tribute to the 350 victims who died before justice came, including at least 13 believed to have taken their own lives.
‘Full, fair and prompt redress’ for victims
Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said, “The publication of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s report today by Sir Wyn and his team marks an important milestone for subpostmasters and their families. I welcome the publication today and am committed to ensuring wronged subpostmasters are given full, fair, and prompt redress.
“The recommendations contained in Sir Wyn’s report require careful reflection, including on further action to complete the redress schemes. The government will promptly respond to the recommendations in full in Parliament.”
In a statement to Parliament, Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas acknowledged the profound human toll of the Horizon scandal, following the release of the first volume of Sir Wyn Williams’ Inquiry report. He praised the courage of the postmasters and the thoroughness of the Inquiry, which examined over two million documents and laid bare the scandal’s devastating impact—including lost jobs, bankruptcies, ruined reputations, mental health trauma, and, in some cases, loss of life.
Thomas expressed strong sympathy for Sir Wyn’s 19 recommendations and pledged a full government response by the October 10 deadline. While welcoming recognition that redress efforts aim to be fair and timely, he admitted that flaws—especially in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme—must be addressed.
He noted progress made, with compensation rising from £236 million to nearly £1.1 billion in a year, and over 4,200 postmasters receiving fixed-sum offers. New support mechanisms, including the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme and an appeals process, are helping to improve fairness.
In a significant move, the government will extend compensation to close family members who suffered personal injury—such as psychological distress—due to the scandal. The scheme will be developed in consultation with victims’ families, campaigners, and legal experts.
Thomas also backed the idea of an independent body to manage compensation in future public scandals, highlighting the need for faster, more trusted redress systems. He concluded by reaffirming the government’s determination to deliver justice swiftly, acknowledging that while no amount of money can undo the suffering, victims deserve peace, recognition, and accountability.
