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PM Rishi Sunak Proposes New Law to Rectify Post Office Scandal Injustices

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans for a groundbreaking law aimed at overturning convictions in the notorious Post Office scandal. The scandal involved hundreds of employees wrongly accused due to faulty software, and the proposed legislation seeks to exonerate the victims who suffered reputational and personal harm. Sunak emphasizes the gravity of the miscarriage of justice and vows to ensure justice and compensation for the affected individuals.

Compensation and Eligibility

Under the proposed law, former Post Office workers involved in the group litigation in 2019 would be eligible for an upfront payment of £75,000 ($95,000). The legislation, yet to be published with uncertain voting timelines, aims to address one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in the nation’s history.

Metropolitan Police Investigation

Sunak’s announcement follows the confirmation by the Metropolitan Police that they are investigating potential fraud offences related to the years-long scandal. The Post Office had wrongfully convicted its employees based on faulty software, leading to a renewed focus on the case, especially after airing the TV series “Mr Bates vs the Post Office” on U.K. TV.

Ongoing Investigations and Potential Offenses

The Met Police had been looking into potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice related to the Post Office’s prosecutions and investigations. The investigation, initiated in January 2020, focuses on Fujitsu Horizon, the company, and its software. Two individuals have been interviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Historical Overview of the Post Office Scandal

The Post Office scandal involved Japanese tech company Fujitsu Services developing and operating the Horizon IT financial software services for the Post Office in 1999. The faulty software led to significant bugs, causing the system to misreport financial data. Over 700 sub-postmasters were wrongly accused between 1999 and 2015, leading to prosecutions, convictions, and, in some cases, prison sentences.

Compensation and Government Response

In December, the government paid out £124.7 million ($158.6 million) in compensation to wrongfully convicted postmasters. The number of individuals with overturned convictions who received full and final compensation is 25. The government raised compensation to £600,000 ($763,500) for every victim, and offers have been made to all 2,417 current or former postmasters under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.

Sunak’s Commitment to Justice

PM Rishi Sunak, in announcing the proposed law, emphasizes ensuring justice for the victims and acknowledges the significance of compensation schemes in achieving this goal. The legislative move aims to rectify the deep-rooted injustices caused by the Post Office scandal and provide a path forward for those affected.

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