The Post Office Scandal – Is there more on the way?
This week a report (“Kroll Report“) exposed further weaknesses in the Post Office’s IT systems, suggesting that the Post Office Scandal may be wider than first known. As a result, it my be that many more subpostmasters may have been wrongfully accused of fraud.
The Kroll report and its findings on the Post Office’s Capture software shed further light on the wider Post Office scandal, which had previously focused primarily on the Horizon IT system.
The investigation into Capture, conducted by Kroll at the request of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), concluded that there is a “reasonable likelihood” that the Capture software, used by subpostmasters from 1993 to 1998, contributed to unexplained accounting shortfalls.
These shortfalls were often blamed on subpostmasters, which would mean that in addition to those affected by the Horizon scandal many others may have been wrongfully accused, prosecuted, and suffered severe personal and financial consequences.
Key findings and implications:
1. Capture’s Technical Issues: The software, described by some as a “glorified spreadsheet,” was prone to errors that caused accounting discrepancies. The system had known bugs, and a 1994 internal Post Office communication even acknowledged the need for a complete software rewrite. Despite these issues, the Post Office held subpostmasters responsible for any shortfalls, often leading to prosecutions.
2. Historical Context: The introduction of Capture coincided with a sharp rise in investigations into subpostmasters for financial irregularities. Prior to the software’s rollout, investigations were rare, but they surged significantly afterward, mirroring a similar pattern when the Horizon system was introduced in 1999.
3. Lack of Adequate Training: The report also highlighted that many subpostmasters, particularly those with limited computer experience, were inadequately trained on Capture. This lack of support further compounded the problems, as users struggled to navigate the new technology without proper guidance.
4. Comparison with Horizon: Although Capture and Horizon were distinct systems, they shared similar consequences for subpostmasters. In both cases, unexplained losses occurred after long periods of smooth manual accounting. The Post Office’s response was strikingly similar, with both systems leading to increased investigations, prosecutions, and devastating impacts on those affected.
5. Impact on Subpostmasters: The emotional and financial toll on subpostmasters like Steve Marston and Steve Lewis, who suffered significant personal losses and reputational damage, was immense. Both were wrongfully prosecuted and faced life-altering consequences, including loss of homes, businesses, and mental health struggles.
6. Government and Legal Responses: The Kroll report, following public outcry and pressure from MPs like Kevan Jones, marks a critical step toward addressing the long-overlooked Capture issues. Legal firms such as Hudgell Solicitors are now representing former Capture users who experienced similar unexplained losses, advocating for their exoneration and compensation.
This latest revelation underlines the deep-rooted and systemic failures within the Post Office, which persisted across different technological systems and spanned decades. The scandal, which gained widespread attention through a TV dramatisation, highlights the need for justice and resolution for the victims, many of whom are still fighting to clear their names.
How can we help?
If you need specialist advice in relation to any criminal investigation or prosecution, from the initial investigation through to court proceedings, please get in touch. Call John Howey on 020 7388 1658 or email jhowey@jfhlaw.co.uk. Let us help.
Image credit: “The Post Office, Portsmouth, Todmorden, OL14. 1994. (Closed 2008)” by sludgegulper is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
