Displaying items by tag: subpostmasters
Post Office scandal: hundreds could have convictions overturned this year
Emergency laws will very soon be enacted to exonerate and compensate hundreds wrongfully convicted in the Post Office scandal. Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake called their suffering a 'brutal and arbitrary exercise of power' and allocated £1 billion for compensation. Among over 900 convictions spanning 16 years, only 93 have been overturned so far. The scandal stemmed from errors in the Horizon computer system, leading to false accusations against sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses. While former sub-postmaster Alan Bates, who inspired the ITV drama 'Mr. Bates vs the Post Office’, cautiously welcomed the new law, he awaited further details. Rishi Sunak confirmed that those previously convicted in England and Wales would be cleared and compensated under this law. Similar plans are in place for convictions in Scotland, managed under its separate legal system. The Government aims to complete the process of overturning convictions by the end of 2024. However, concerns have been raised regarding the decision to use an act of parliament to overturn convictions, as it raises questions about the independence of the courts.