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Ministers in David Cameron’s administration were informed that Post Office bosses had ceased a secret investigation that could have helped prove a postmaster’s innocence while still denying any faults in the Horizon computer system. An internal investigation in 2016 into tampering with cash accounts on the Horizon IT system spanning 17 years was abruptly dropped after postmasters initiated legal action.
According to the BBC, ministers in Mr. Cameron’s administration were made aware that Post Office bosses had abandoned the inquiry while maintaining that the Horizon computer system was not faulty. Despite the investigation, the Post Office continued to argue in court two years later that Fujitsu could not remotely access subpostmaster accounts.
Over 700 branch managers were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015 due to faulty Horizon accounting software falsely indicating missing money. Many subpostmasters and subpostmistresses are still awaiting compensation despite the government announcing eligibility for £600,000 payouts for those with overturned convictions.
The latest revelations raise questions about how long ministers knew about the potential for remote access and why no action was taken to prevent the Post Office from denying Fujitsu’s ability to alter accounts. Documents show that a 2016 investigation into Fujitsu’s remote access was part of a review by Jonathan Swift QC, approved by then-business secretary Sajid Javid but was later scrapped on advice from a senior barrister representing the Post Office.
Former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton accused current business secretary Kemi Badenoch of making false claims about him and a request to delay compensation payouts for postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal. Badenoch denied the allegations and stated that an investigation into bullying allegations against Staunton was conducted before his dismissal.
Ministers are facing questions regarding the conflicting claims made by Staunton and Badenoch, with calls for clarity and justice for subpostmasters involved in the Horizon scandal. Environment secretary Steve Barclay has defended Badenoch’s commitment to rectifying the miscarriage of justice experienced by subpostmasters.
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