UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reviewing measures to exonerate hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted due to the Post Office Horizon scandal. The government-owned Post Office, which prosecuted the cases, may be removed from the appeals process. The scandal involved over 700 convictions based on faulty software, with fewer than 100 overturned so far. The Crown Prosecution Service could take over the Post Office's role in appeals, but this may require additional resources and affect other cases. A public inquiry is ongoing, and the Metropolitan Police is investigating potential fraud offences by the Post Office. The issue has gained renewed attention following an ITV drama and a BBC podcast on the scandal.
The UK Post Office is under police investigation for wrongfully accusing over 700 employees of theft due to a faulty computer system called Horizon. The Metropolitan Police are looking into potential fraud, perjury, and perverting the course of justice related to the Post Office's actions. The defective system, installed in 1999, led to numerous postmasters being financially devastated, with some being imprisoned and a few committing suicide. Despite the Court of Appeal quashing 39 convictions in 2021 and 93 convictions being overturned in total, many affected workers have yet to be exonerated. A public inquiry into the scandal began in 2022, and a recent TV docudrama has brought new attention to the issue, prompting more potential victims to come forward.
The UK Metropolitan Police are investigating the Post Office for potential fraud, perjury, and perverting the course of justice after over 700 postmasters were wrongfully accused of theft due to a faulty computer system called Horizon. The system, installed in 1999, erroneously showed missing funds, leading to severe consequences for the accused, including financial ruin, convictions, and imprisonment. Some affected individuals even took their own lives. A total of 93 convictions have been overturned, and a public inquiry is ongoing. The issue has gained renewed attention following a TV docudrama, prompting more potential victims to come forward.
