The ongoing effort to compensate victims of the Post Office and Horizon scandal was brought to the forefront during Alan Bates' testimony before MPs on February 27th. Bates passionately advocated for justice for the victims and their families, emphasizing the urgent need to expedite the compensation process. He also suggested the provision of interim payments to alleviate the financial strain on the victims.
In a collaborative effort, James Hartley of Freeths and Dr. Neil Hudgell, the executive chairman of Hudgell Solicitors, joined the discussions to represent a substantial number of branch operators and victims. Hartley pointed out the hindrance caused by the Post Office's delay in disclosing evidence, which is impeding progress towards justice.
Aside from seeking compensation from the Post Office, the possibility of Fujitsu, creators of the Horizon system, offering compensation is also being explored. A GLO scheme has been put in place for claimants to pursue compensation through this avenue, while an Overturned Convictions Scheme offers interim payments until final settlements are reached. Legislation to exonerate wrongly convicted sub-postmasters is on the horizon, expected to be introduced in the coming month.
However, both lawyers involved estimated that it may take up to 1-2 years for all victims to receive their rightful compensation. Key figures, such as Post Office CEO Nick Read, have been called upon to update MPs on the progress of compensating the victims.
Despite Mr.Read's efforts to implement changes aimed at rebuilding trust in the Post Office, concerns are being raised about the slow pace at which justice is being delivered to former postmasters. As the process unfolds and deliberations continue among organizations and MPs, the road to justice for the victims seems to be a lengthy one. But with unwavering advocacy and efforts from various stakeholders, hope remains that the victims will eventually receive the justice they deserve.
English (US)