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Government Moves to Overturn Convictions of Post Office Operators

Ministers are set to introduce legislation aimed at overturning the convictions of hundreds of post office operators ensnared in the Horizon scandal, marking a significant triumph for victims who have campaigned tirelessly for justice over decades.

Automatic Reversal of Convictions

The forthcoming legislation, expected to be unveiled on Wednesday, will automatically annul convictions for theft, fraud, and false accounting related to Post Office operations during the Horizon scandal. It encompasses prosecutions brought forth by both the Post Office and the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales from 1996 to 2018.

Expanded Compensation Measures

In addition to overturning convictions, the government plans to compensate individuals who were never convicted or did not engage in legal proceedings against the Post Office. Operators previously investigated but not convicted will now qualify for redress payments of £75,000 through the Post Office’s Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).

Streamlined Compensation Process

Those whose convictions are overturned will receive an interim payment of £163,000 within 28 days of submitting their application. Subsequently, they can opt for a fixed compensation sum of £600,000 or undergo individual case evaluations to determine appropriate compensation.

Addressing Systemic Failures

The legislation addresses the repercussions of erroneous prosecutions from the malfunctioning Horizon computer system, which erroneously indicated financial discrepancies. Despite over 900 convictions during the 16-year scandal, only approximately 100 have been overturned.

Governmental Oversight of Compensation

Compensation payments for affected post office operators will now fall under the purview of the Department for Business and Trade, transitioning away from the Post Office’s management. This decision follows parliamentary recommendations criticizing the Post Office’s handling of compensation disbursements.

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