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Post Office Executive’s Decision Raises Concerns Over Fujitsu Contract

Former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells has come under scrutiny for awarding Fujitsu a bonus contract in 2013, despite warnings that the move could compromise the integrity of branch data crucial for investigations into wrongful prosecutions.

Warning Signs Ignored

Despite objections from senior executives within the Post Office, Vennells proceeded with migrating transaction information from the secure EMC Centera system to Fujitsu’s Eternus platform. This decision, driven by cost-cutting motives, raised concerns about the preservation of audit trails vital for forensic audits.

Audit Integrity at Risk

The transition to Fujitsu’s system, lacking the immutability of EMC Centera, jeopardised the ability to verify the integrity of transaction records. This vulnerability was exploited in prosecutions, leading to incomplete audit trails and unchecked wrongful convictions until recent legal challenges.

Cost Savings or Sabotage?

Questions arise regarding the true motives behind the shift to Fujitsu’s system. Was it solely a cost-saving measure, or did it serve as a deliberate act of sabotage? The timing coincided with increased scrutiny over Horizon system discrepancies and potential loss of control by Fujitsu.

Testimony and Legal Proceedings

Vennells is set to testify in the ongoing public inquiry into the scandal, shedding light on her decision-making process. Legal representation has refrained from commenting on the matter, leaving room for further examination during the inquiry.

Legacy of Wrongful Prosecutions

The Horizon system’s faults contributed to over 900 wrongful convictions between 1999 and 2015. Despite operating in thousands of branches across the UK, concerns over its reliability persisted, prompting the ongoing inquiry.

Audit Trail Uncertainty

Experts caution against the unreliability of the Post Office’s audit trail, exacerbated by the transition to Fujitsu’s system. Forensic examinations reveal gaps in transaction data, casting doubt on the accuracy of past convictions.

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