The Submit Workplace Horizon IT scandal could be “the worst miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history”.
Jason Beer KC, counsel to the inquiry which has been investigating the scandal, didn’t put it this fashion calmly.
After 4 hard-fought years, senior executives diminished to tears, and numerous heartbreaking tales of the injury brought about to the private lives of sub-postmasters, the Submit Workplace inquiry has completed gathering its fundamental proof.
It was set as much as examine why greater than 700 sub-postmasters had been wrongly prosecuted and deemed criminals for theft and false accounting – when the truth is it was the defective Horizon IT system made by Fujitsu accountable.
That is why Mr Beer put it so strongly.
The inquiry has been trying to set up when the Submit Workplace knew sub-postmasters weren’t accountable, why the Submit Workplace by no means overturned prosecutions, and if there was a cover-up.
All through the method, we heard alarms had been raised by exterior attorneys, individuals throughout the Submit Workplace, the media, and most of all campaigners.
A few of the appearances on the inquiry have been stunning, revelatory and emotional.
Right here, Sky Information explores a few of the key moments from the inquiry.
‘Subbies with their hands in the till’
No alternate fairly in comparison with an electronic mail from the Submit Workplace’s former managing director Alan Prepare dinner, who insisted it was sub-postmasters accountable and never know-how.
This was regardless of victims constantly denying involvement.
It was throughout his proof, that an electronic mail was learn out – which mentioned account shortfalls had been all the way down to “subbies with their hand in the till [who] choose to blame the technology when they are found to be short of cash”.
Mr Prepare dinner mentioned it was an expression he would “regret for the rest of my life”.
He additionally highlighted systemic failures throughout the Submit Workplace.
He claimed he was “unaware” the Submit Workplace introduced prosecutions – and that it didn’t really feel just like the Submit Workplace “had a crisis on its hands”.
Alan Prepare dinner arrives on the Submit Workplace Horizon IT inquiry. Pic: Reuters
‘I think you knew’
The looks of Paula Vennells was most likely probably the most excessive profile of the inquiry.
ITV hit drama Mr Bates vs The Submit Workplace put Ms Vennells – the previous Submit Workplace chief govt – on the very coronary heart of the scandal.
On the inquiry, she was diminished to tears greater than as soon as as she apologised for her function.
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A current textual content alternate with Dame Moya Greene, the previous chief govt of Royal Mail, was one of the crucial damning moments for Ms Vennells – which weakened her defence of not understanding what was occurring with prosecutions.
Dame Moya texted Ms Vennells after the airing of Mr Bates Vs The Submit Workplace, which reinvigorated curiosity within the scandal early this 12 months, saying: “When it was clear the system was at fault, the Post Office should have raised a red flag. Stopped all proceedings. Given people back their money, and then tried to compensate them from the ruin this caused in their lives.”
When Ms Vennells replied that she agreed, Dame Moya mentioned: “I don’t know what to say. I feel you knew.
“I want to believe you. I asked you twice. I suggested you get an independent review reporting to you. I was afraid you were being lied to. You said the system had already been reviewed multiple times. How could you not have known?”
Textual content messages between Paula Vennells and Dame Moya Greene. Pic: Submit Workplace Inquiry
Dame Moya continued: “I can’t now support you.”
“I have supported you. All these years… to my own detriment. I can’t support you now after what I have learned,” she added.
Dame Moya additionally backed this view up when she gave proof to the inquiry, saying: “I think she knew on the basis of the evidence that has emerged at this inquiry that there were faults in the system.”
As was to be anticipated, Ms Vennells denied any information of points or miscarriages of justice and known as the scenario “complex” including that there are “some things I did not know… I wish I had known”.
Former Submit Workplace boss Paula Vennells on the Submit Workplace Horizon IT inquiry. Pic: PA
Submit Workplace instructed to cease prosecuting – however continued
The Submit Workplace was instructed years earlier than convictions had been stopped {that a} key witness used to prosecute sub-postmasters was unreliable.
The barrister Simon Clarke instructed the inquiry he was suggested this after he discovered critical errors and “an almost religious panic” in regards to the Horizon IT system.
He wrote a key piece of authorized recommendation in 2013 that made the difficulty with previous prosecutions clear to executives.
Simon Clarke giving proof. Pic: Submit Workplace Inquiry
Mr Clarke had branded Fujitsu’s Horizon IT architect Gareth Jenkins as a “tainted” and “unreliable witness”.
In a file commissioned by the Submit Workplace, Mr Clarke mentioned Gareth Jenkins had breached his courtroom duties by failing to reveal recognized points and bugs with Horizon.
These recognized points might have allowed sub-postmasters to problem their convictions and have their prison document overturned.
Mr Clarke additionally insisted the Submit Workplace shouldn’t use Gareth Jenkins as a witness and really useful all prosecutions be reviewed.
However, as has been so usually the case within the story of the scandal, the Submit Workplace ignored this recommendation by not reviewing prosecutions and persevering with to prosecute sub-postmasters till 2015.
Mr Jenkins is at the moment being investigated by the Metropolitan Police for suspected perjury.
Gareth Jenkins (centre) arriving to present proof to the inquiry. Pic: PA
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The pregnant girl despatched to jail in ‘test case’
Each story instructed by the sub-postmasters affected by the Submit Workplace scandal highlighted the sheer scale of the injury brought about to their lives.
Sub-postmaster Seema Misra’s conviction was hailed as “brilliant news” in an electronic mail between Submit Workplace executives, the inquiry revealed – this being regardless of her sentence together with 15 months in jail and having to serve 4 months whereas pregnant.
Electronic mail from former Submit Workplace managing director David Smith. Pic: Submit Workplace Inquiry
The inquiry additionally heard that executives and Submit Workplace attorneys handled her as a “test case” – if her prosecution was seen as profitable, then senior officers said it proved Horizon was “robust”.
In response, Ms Misra instructed Sky Information: “How can they do a test on a human being?”
“I’m a living creature,” she added.
Seema Misra
When Mr Jenkins – the skilled who testified in courtroom defending Horizon – was known as to present proof to the inquiry he apologised to Ms Misra.
Mr Jenkins mentioned he didn’t perceive his obligation of disclosure as an skilled witness on the time – and fervently tried to decrease the concept he misled the courtroom or withheld info.
Ms Misra rejected his apology.
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What’s subsequent for the inquiry?
The inquiry’s final part will start within the autumn – it will take a look at the Submit Workplace’s present practices and make suggestions for the longer term.
A report may also be revealed – although when this shall be particularly is unclear.
Inquiry chair Sir Wyn Williams has beforehand mentioned it will likely be “as soon as is reasonably practicable” after listening to about present practices in September.
The chair might also refer executives and those that have labored on the Submit Workplace and Fujitsu to the police – ought to he assume any prison investigations are wanted.
