The Government has dismissed calls from Labour and affected sub
postmasters to give the Inquiry into the Horizon scandal statutory
powers to compel witnesses and documents, including emails from the
Post Office, the Government and Fujitsu.
Labour had called on Ministers to urgently change the scope of
the Inquiry. Under current plans, the Judge leading the Inquiry
will have no statutory footing to compel information, making it
impossible to truly uncover how the scandal happened and who was
responsible.
Writing in response to Shadow Business Minister Chi Onwurah,
Shadow Business Secretary , and Shadow Attorney General , the Business Minister Paul Scully failed to
acknowledge the request, and simply said the Inquiry would
"obtain all available relevant evidence", despite having no power
to do so.
The Inquiry also currently expressly prohibits the Judge from
considering compensation. Paul Scully has confirmed that he
believes "the settlement agreed between the Post Office and the
Group Litigation Claimants in December 2019 was full and final."
,
Labour’s Shadow Business Minister, said:
“Without being given the legal right to see crucial evidence,
this Inquiry risks failing to get to the bottom of how this
appalling scandal can have happened and who was responsible.
"The Government is relying on those involved in this scandal
offering up incriminating evidence voluntarily.
"This scandal led to innocent people being bankrupt, losing their
homes, and being imprisoned. I thought Ministers were serious
about uncovering the truth. They must listen to the affected
subpostmasters and urgently reconsider the Inquiry's scope."
Ends
Notes to Editors
Full text of Paul Scully's response:
Dear Chi,
Thank you for your letter dated 29 September, regarding the Terms
of Reference for the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.
The launch of the Inquiry is an important milestone towards
ensuring the affected postmasters and their families receive the
answers they are seeking and deserve. Sir Wyn Williams has 28
years of judicial experience and the Government has full
confidence in his ability to chair this Inquiry.
Having listened to the affected postmasters, the Government
decided to expand the scope of the Inquiry. It will therefore
build upon the findings of Mr Justice Fraser, by obtaining all
available relevant evidence from the Post Office, Fujitsu and the
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to
establish a clear account of the implementation and failings of
Horizon over its lifecycle.
While the Government fully understands the serious impact the
Horizon dispute has had on postmasters’ lives and livelihoods,
and that those affected may wish to seek compensation, the
settlement agreed between the Post Office and the Group
Litigation Claimants in December 2019 was full and final. As
such, matters of compensation have been excluded from the scope
of the Inquiry.
Thank you once again for taking the time to write on this issue,
and for your continued efforts and support shown to postmasters
affected by the Horizon litigation.
