Victims of almost two decades old Post Office scandal will now be offered compensation to redeem them of their lost years, reputation, health and for some, their lives. The biggest miscarriage of justice in the UK where over 700 sub-postmasters suffered due to a technical glitch has now reached its pinnacle. Asian Voice spoke to few victims from the community who welcome the monetary compensation offer but their emotional loss remains irreparable.
Branded as the UK’s worst-ever miscarriage of justice, the government under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to clear the names of the sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted. But tragically this news has come too late. While some of these sub-postmasters are now battling chronic illnesses, or are old and frail at 70, 4 have committed suicide and 33 have unfortunately passed away.
On many occasions, the life of their families has also been robbed of them. Children of these victims had to declare the criminal record of their parents at school, at jobs and everywhere they went. For some, they couldn’t enjoy being a part of the formative years of their children - The trauma of being imprisoned without committing a crime, living in a cell in uncomfortable conditions, being tagged everywhere they went out of the bars, and now, waiting to receive compensation for a crime they never committed, but lost half their lives in baseless allegations which they are too tired to fight.
A very unfortunate story of Seema Misra is heart-wrenching where she told us in an initial interview that she was released with a tag after four months with a warning. She went into labour with that tag. “It was such a good moment, but such a shameful moment,” Seema told the newsweekly.
Unfortunately, this scandal reportedly unfolded under the watch of some members of the ethnic minority community like senior prosecutor Jarnail Singh who was responsible for preparing the evidence against sub-postmasters accused of stealing from the Post Office.
Amid growing public outcry fuelled by the ITV drama "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," PM Sunak revealed that the 555 postmasters who approached the High Court in 2019 will receive an upfront compensation of £75,000, with eligibility for approximately £600,000 upon exoneration.
Responding to mounting pressure, the government plans to expedite the exoneration and compensation process through an upcoming act of Parliament. The extensive legislation, addressing the scandal between 1999 and 2015, ensnaring hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongly convicted due to the faulty Horizon software, is set to be introduced soon. This pivotal step signifies a significant move toward rectifying the profound injustices suffered by the victims, offering hope for exoneration and just compensation in the aftermath of this prolonged and impactful miscarriage of justice.
Meanwhile, Fujitsu's Europe director, Paul Patterson, issued a formal apology to over 700 sub-postmasters who faced criminal convictions due to faulty software. Patterson acknowledged Fujitsu's role in the "appalling miscarriage of justice," expressing regret for system bugs and errors. He asserted a "moral obligation" for Fujitsu to contribute to compensation, though specific provisions haven't been made yet. Patterson testified before MPs, addressing the company's involvement in Post Office prosecutions and emphasising the need to rectify the injustice suffered by sub-postmasters and their families.
Lofty promises
Speaking to the newsweekly, Sandip Patel KC, Barrister at 33 Bedford Row who was a public prosecutor during the scandal said, “...all this is encouraging but the sub-post-masters have been betrayed by lofty promises before and will be forgiven for wanting to see the legislation’s fine print before prematurely jumping for joy.”
Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West told Asian Voice, that he has raised this issue several times in Parliament over the years and will continue to do so to ensure that the Government delivers the long-awaited justice for Sub-Postmasters including the overturning of convictions and, crucially, swift action on compensation.
“Government must offer support services to help postmasters cope with the trauma”
Speaking to Asian Voice, former sub-postmaster, Ashok Sodha said, “The post office scandal has profoundly impacted numerous postmasters, resulting in financial hardship, reputational damage, and emotional distress. While the government's compensation is a positive step towards acknowledging the injustices, it's essential to recognise that the trauma endured by postmasters surpasses mere financial compensation. Prolonged legal battles, stress, and the loss of businesses and livelihoods have taken a toll that cannot be easily quantified.
“Beyond financial compensation, the government must offer support services to help postmasters cope with the trauma, including counselling, mental health support, and legal assistance. Preventive measures and reforms within the post office system are crucial to ensure similar injustices don't occur in the future. Holding those responsible accountable and learning from mistakes is vital to prevent further harm.
“Although the Prime Minister's announced compensation is a positive step, additional support services are necessary for postmasters to heal. Justice should extend beyond financial considerations.”
“Real culprits should be behind bars”
Sharing her opinion on the compensation, ex sub-postmistress Seema Misra told Asian Voice, “The recent government announcement is indeed a positive step, finally acknowledging the need for intervention. However, it's crucial to emphasise that making an announcement is just the first step, and the subsequent action is equally vital. I strongly urge the government to not only make announcements but also act promptly on them. Accountability is imperative, and those responsible for the scandal, whether it be Royal Mail, Fujitsu, Post Office, or any member of the parliament or government involved, need to be held behind bars.
“Rather than rewarding them with awards or new contracts, a cautious approach is necessary. Clearing their names from the scandal should be a prerequisite before any further consideration. Justice is essential for every individual affected, recognising that it's not just the direct victims but their families as well who undergo immense suffering. The gravity of the scandal's impact on individuals and families should be acknowledged, and accountability for those responsible should be established as swiftly as possible.”
“15 years lost”
Ex-sub-postmaster Vijay Parekh told the newsweekly, “I’ve lost 15 years of my life. An apology isn’t going to get you those 15 years back. They need to be prosecuted. We will get justice but it will take time,” he asserted, reflecting on the profound impact of the Horizon scandal on his life. “The support from my family and extended family has kept me in a stable situation. Without it I don’t think I would have been able to pull through,” he said.
Wrongful prosecution led to abuse of reputation
Varchasanraj Patel's father managed a Post Office in Oxfordshire until he faced wrongful prosecution in 2011. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Patel shared that his father's health has been severely impacted, and compensation has not been received yet. He recounted how 'wanted dead or alive' posters, featuring his father's photo, circulated within the local community after the conviction. Patel described instances of intimidation, highlighting that, at one point, locals constructed a four-foot cross with a wreath, inscribed with 'RIP Vipin,' right outside the shop on the village green. "They essentially viewed my father as a 'Post Office robber'," he emphasised.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Varchasanraj Patel said, “At the age of 23, my father faced wrongful prosecution by the Post Office. Now at 36, it has been 13 years since. The compensation announced by the Prime Minister will not sufficiently aid the numerous sub-postmasters affected. No sum of money can adequately compensate for the emotional trauma, but it is essential to ensure proper compensation for this aspect of the claim, including family members. In a world where technology is omnipresent, there should be a comprehensive understanding of utilising digital evidence when considering any prosecution involving it.”
A long wait
Speaking to Asian Voice, ex-sub-postmaster Hasmukh Shingadia, 63, who now runs a shop in Upper Bucklebury, Berks, said, “In no way can the government compensate for the years lost with this amount they’re offering.” When asked how soon he expects to be compensated, he said, “I’ve been working on this for over a year now to collate all the information. So I suppose in six months something should be finalised.” “At the moment, I’m just hoping that the committee hearing from the post office will do justice. Hopefully, this should give some sort of hope for some resources. We have waited for a long time,” he added.
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Bob Blackman MP for Harrow East
‘It is a true tragedy that for so long, many innocent postmasters have suffered greatly at the fault of Horizon. I am pleased that the Government are taking swift and decisive action to ensure all those who have suffered receive appropriate compensation and have any convictions quashed. However, it should not take an ITV drama to spur on this action. I hope that this will make people realise that never again can we let such an injustice occur and for so long.’
Sandip Patel KC, Barrister at 33 Bedford Row
“The government’s unprecedented legislation to exonerate over 900 sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted offers swift redress but raises issues about how they and other eligible victims (some 4,000) are compensated. Most of the problems stem from the fact that there isn't a single compensation scheme for sub-postmasters to apply to, and the amount an individual sub-postmaster receives can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of their case. The Horizon Compensation Advisory Board recently said compensation so far ranged from £10,000 to "well over £1m". As of 1 December 2023, £138m has been paid to 2,700 claimants across the three- the Group Litigation Order (GLO); Overturned Convictions and Horizon Shortfall schemes.
The present situation is scandalous and perpetuates the misery inflicted on the sub-postmasters. The government has finally woken up to this and promises a fact-track compensation scheme. But in reality, the legislation will take some months to implement and have some positive effects. Compensation payment of £600,000 will be made only after a sub-postmaster signs a declaration of innocence. The government has also confirmed it will introduce a one-off £75,000 payment for the 555 GLO sub-postmasters.
Undoubtedly, all this is encouraging but the sub-post-masters have been betrayed by lofty promises before and will be forgiven for wanting to see the legislation’s fine print before prematurely jumping for joy.”
Virendra Sharma MP for Ealing Southall
“The scale of the corporate greed, lying, and sheer inhumanity of the Post Office is shocking. We have known for some time that corruption was there, but it has been blown wide open now. I am delighted some of those are now able to clear their names, but we must learn the lesson of listening and not allowing powerful institutions to silence the bullied and the innocent.”
Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West
“The ITV drama, “Mr Bates v the Post Office” has done a great job at raising awareness of the shameful treatment Sub-Postmasters faced, and the continued suffering they have to endure. This scandal robbed people of their lives, their livelihoods and their liberty. I have raised this issue several times in Parliament over the years and will continue to do so to ensure that the Government delivers the long-awaited justice for Sub-Postmasters including the overturning of convictions and, crucially, swift action on compensation.”
Pravin Amin, President, National Association of Patidar Samaj
The Post Office's behaviour in falsely accusing many respected Sub Post Office operators has proved scandalous.
Such a powerful organisation with vast resources has failed to live up to its responsibilities.
Dragging on false accusations has ruined the lives of so many who have lost financially and their health has taken a toll.
Some had to live in shame as even their family members looked at them suspiciously.
I hope the Post Office, in addition to compensating financial loss to those accused, will also generously compensate them for the physical and mental stress they have suffered.
A substantial number of those who endured this suffering were from the Patel Community.
