legislation to be introduced within weeks overturning
wrongful convictions of hundreds of postmasters
exoneration will ensure innocent people can receive
swifter compensation
compensation payments expedited for trailblazers who took
first legal action against the Post Office
The blanket exoneration will overturn hundreds of convictions,
brought about thanks to erroneous Horizon evidence, clearing the
names of many people who have had their lives ruined. The
Government has committed to making sure these convictions are
overturned later this year, meaning victims do not need to wait
years and years for the justice they deserve.
Once this legislation is passed and convictions have been
quashed, individuals will be entitled to at least £600,000 in
compensation to rebuild their lives.
Prime Minister said:
This is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in this
country’s history, with hundreds of people having their lives
ruined and reputations dragged through mud.
Too many still have wrongful convictions tied to their name, and
we cannot continue to fail them.
We must do everything we can to exonerate and compensate these
innocent people, and make sure they finally get the justice they
deserve.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice said:
Fairness is a core pillar of our justice system and there can be
no doubt hundreds of innocent post-masters and mistresses have
suffered an intolerable miscarriage of justice at the hands of
the Post Office.
These are truly exceptional circumstances, and we must right this
wrong quickly, ensuring those convicted can be fairly and swiftly
compensated.
Minister for Postal Affairs said:
Postmasters have been fighting for years to get the justice they
deserve, and today’s announcement will ensure wrongful
convictions are overturned and swifter access to compensation.
The Post Office Horizon Scandal is widely described as the
biggest miscarriage of justice in our history and it’s important
that steps like we’ve announced today are being taken to right
the wrongs of the past.
Sir Wyn Williams’ Inquiry, set up in 2020 to look at issues of
governance in the Post Office, will continue its vital work and
provide a full public record of how this miscarriage of justice
was able to take place.
In the coming days, the government will consider whether this
blanket exoneration should apply to the small number of
convictions which have been upheld by the appeal courts.
The government recognises that this Bill may lead to the
overturning of some convictions that were rightfully brought. In
line with the wishes of some of the victims, the government will
therefore introduce safeguards to make sure anyone who was
rightly convicted, and is now trying to take advantage of
compensation schemes, can be prosecuted in the future.
Legislation will apply to England and Wales only. Conversations
with other UK jurisdictions remain ongoing.
