- Bates criticises slow compensation
- Receives “cruel” offer
- Government promises investigation
Alan Bates criticised the pace of Post Office scandal compensation payments in a letter to the government just days before receiving an offer.
The former sub-postmaster, whose story inspired an ITV drama, stated in a letter dated 22 January that the scheme needed a “radical kick in the rear end”.
On Wednesday, he reportedly received a “cruel” offer of compensation.
Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, has promised to investigate his complaint.
In his letter to Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake, Mr Bates mentioned that some victims’ claims were being processed excessively slowly.
Mr Bates, who received his own offer 111 days after submitting his claim, expressed his view thus: “This does not exactly serve the best interests of the victims within the group, who continuously seek resolution for the distressing occurrences that persist annually.”
He suggested that the government’s claims evaluator impose a daily penalty of £1,000 on the offending party if no offer was made within forty days.
Mr Bates also stated that the current compensation structure “requires a significant overhaul to get things moving”.
“Most offers are acceptable”
Regarding the issue of speed, Mr Hollinrake stated that Mr Bates had “quite rightly” raised it. He reiterated his commitment to issuing 90% of initial offers within forty days of receiving a complete claim.
Should the government and victims fail to agree, compensation amounts will be determined by an independent tribunal.
Mr. Hollinrake stated in his 29 January answer, acquired by Newsnight, that victims had accepted the “vast majority” of offers.
He added, “As a result, the independent panel has not yet needed to evaluate any cases, but I have full confidence in their ability to do so.”
On 31 January, Mr Bates revealed he had been presented with a compensation offer. It amounted to approximately one-sixth of the sum sought in a claim prepared with the help of forensic accountants.
Previously, he told the Daily Telegraph: “His Majesty’s Government may view the offer as ‘complete and fair’. But in reality, it is mocking, offensive, and yes, cruel, after all this time.
“I will unequivocally reject this offer of financial compensation.”
Treating people this way is horrible; many sub-postmasters have informed me they received such pitiful offers while others wait.
Ms Badenoch has stated she will “personally” investigate Mr Bates’s complaint and confirmed she has requested a meeting, without going into the details of the case.
Government plans for “full and fair compensation” for IT scandal-affected sub-postmasters were approved in 2022.
“Don’t miss out! Grab your free shares of Webull UK today!”
The recent ITV series “Mr Bates vs the Post Office” was inspired by Mr Bates’s two-decade battle. It depicted the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters and postmistresses. They were blamed for missing funds from post office branches due to faulty computer software.
Post Office Scandal: Convictions and Compensation
The Post Office prosecuted 700 Horizon IT defendants between 1999 and 2015, one per week.
The Post Office agreed to compensate 555 sub-postmasters who took legal action against it in 2017. However, the settlement was only reached two years later, and a large portion of the agreed sum went to legal costs.
More than 500 individuals, including Mr Bates, who took over a Post Office counter in Llandudno, North Wales in 1998, were awarded an average of about £20,000 following the 2019 High Court ruling.
Despite pushing for their cases to be reviewed, only 95 convictions have been overturned.
Their convictions have been quashed, and the government has agreed to compensate them.
Those affected have previously been assured by the government that it will “immediately exonerate and compensate” them, with all claims to be settled by 7 August 2024.
Victims can claim innocence and overturn their convictions on a form to get compensation.
