- £75,000 upfront payment introduced
- New law for exoneration
- Compensation for Post Office scandal
An additional measure introduced by the government is a £75,000 “upfront payment” that will be distributed to hundreds of postmasters. The manner or schedule in which the new bill will be introduced remains ambiguous.
The prime minister has announced that a new law will be implemented to “rapidly exonerate and compensate” those who were wrongfully convicted in the Horizon scandal.
Rishi Sunak stated in the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the year that he intends to ensure the exoneration of those convicted in the Post Office scandal via a parliamentary act.
Mr. Sunak also declared that participants in the group litigation order against the Post Office would be eligible for an “upfront payment of £75,000,” in addition to proclaiming the introduction of new primary legislation, the details of which have not yet been disclosed or scheduled for voting.
Last week’s ITV program Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office raised Horizon scandal scrutiny and accountability for the government.
The defective Horizon software led to the arrest of over 700 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses for accounting errors.
The government has affirmed that, contingent on their circumstances, sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses will be eligible for compensation. This compensation will be of at least £600,000 once they are exonerated.
The initiative is valid in both England and Wales.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Sunak indicated in the House of Commons that this is one of our country’s worst judgement errors.
“Reputations and lives of individuals who laboriously served their communities were ruined through no fault of their own.”
“Compensation and justice must be served to the victims.” Sir Wyn Williams’ investigation is performing vital work to rectify, revealing what went wrong, and nearly £150 million in compensation has been paid to more than 2,500 victims.
“However, I am pleased to declare that we will soon introduce fresh primary legislation to ensure that individuals who were convicted due to the Horizon scandal are expeditiously exonerated and fully compensated.
In addition, the important Group Litigation Order postmasters will receive a £75,000 advance payment.
Prime minister’s spokesman said legislation would be introduced in weeks and compensation distributed by year’s end.
The postal minister, Kevin Hollinrake, updated the House of Commons in response to PMQs regarding the government’s strategy for dealing with formerly convicted criminals whose convictions have been overturned.
All compensation seekers must sign a statement of truth denying the alleged acts, he said.
“Join the Webull revolution in the UK and receive your free shares today.”
Mr. Hollinrake stated that anyone who is subsequently discovered to have signed such a false statement. They expose themselves to the possibility of prosecution or fraud.
While acknowledging that this was not “foolproof,” the minister described it as a “proportionate” measure that “recognises the hardships that these individuals have already endured.”
Seeking Justice for Convictions
Additionally, he stated that the government was contemplating whether convictions of individuals whose appeals had previously been denied would be overturned.
A multitude of strategies to expedite the reversal of convictions had been considered prior to the announcement made today.
A number of individuals advocated for a collective appeal to be heard by the Court of Appeal. Whereas others favoured legislative measures to vacate the convictions or even a royal pardon.
The precise operational mechanisms by which the House of Commons will reverse hundreds of prosecutions remain obscure.
The leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, stated earlier this week. He mentioned that his organisation would provide legal backing for an endeavour to vacate the convictions.
Sir Keir, in response to Mr. Sunak today, stated, “Mr. Speaker, I have just listened to the prime minister’s remarks regarding the Post Office scandal; it is an abhorrent injustice.”
Those who perished have lost their lives, freedoms, and means of subsistence. They have been patiently awaiting the truth, justice, and compensation for an excessively long time.
Consequently, I am pleased that the prime minister is proposing something.
We will review the details, and I feel it is our joint responsibility to ensure it provides the sorely needed justice.
The government announced last year that each sub-postmaster and sub-postmistress who had been wrongfully convicted would receive £600,000.
The Post Office consented to compensate 555 sub-postmasters and sub-mistresses with £58 million in 2019.
Rishi Sunak supports ex-Post Office CEO investigation committee
