(qlmbusinessnews.com Fri. 3rd May, 2024) London, UK —
Post Office Accused of Viewing Sub-Postmasters as Adversaries.
In a startling revelation, a 2014 draft report by forensic accountants has uncovered a concerning practice within the Post Office, suggesting that investigators perceived sub-postmasters as “enemies.” This revelation came to light during an inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal, exposing an adversarial approach adopted by the company during that period.
Former top Post Office lawyer, Chris Aujard, admitted to the existence of this adversarial culture, raising significant questions about the handling of the Horizon software discrepancies. The report highlighted a systemic failure within the Post Office security team to address various reports by sub-postmasters regarding faults in the accounting software, further exacerbating the situation.
Between 1999 and 2015, numerous sub-postmasters were prosecuted by the Post Office for offences such as theft and false accounting, all linked to the faulty Horizon software. The draft report, presented to the ongoing inquiry by Ron Warmington of accountancy firm Second Sight, raised serious concerns regarding the Post Office's investigative practices.
According to the report, investigators frequently disregarded statements from sub-postmasters claiming innocence or pointing out anomalies in transactions. Instead of seeking the truth, investigators appeared to be focused on recouping losses from sub-postmasters, often presuming guilt without proper investigation.
The report revealed that the investigations team failed to establish the underlying causes of accounting shortfalls, opting for false accounting convictions as a quicker route to recover funds. This approach led to an unsettling perception among sub-postmasters that they were viewed as adversaries of the business, rather than individuals seeking justice.
Flora Page, a lawyer representing Horizon victims, emphasized the urgency of addressing the concerns raised in the draft report. She demanded immediate action to ensure accountability and transparency within the Post Office, particularly regarding past prosecutions that may have been influenced by this adversarial mindset.
During the inquiry, Chris Aujard defended his decision not to take immediate action on the draft report, citing its status as a preliminary document requiring further investigation. However, questions arose regarding the lack of follow-up actions despite the seriousness of the issues raised.
In a separate line of inquiry, Martin Smith, a former Post Office advisor, testified about the disclosure of Horizon bugs and allegations of document tampering by Post Office security personnel. Smith's testimony shed light on the internal workings of the Post Office and raised additional concerns about the integrity of the investigation process.
As the inquiry delved deeper into the intricacies of the Horizon scandal, revelations continued to surface, painting a troubling picture of systemic failures and disregard for accountability. The testimonies of former employees and advisors highlighted the need for thorough reforms within the Post Office to restore public trust and ensure fair treatment of sub-postmasters.
The ongoing inquiry, chaired by Sir Wyn Williams, aims to uncover the truth behind the Horizon scandal and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. With each revelation, the urgency of addressing past injustices and implementing reforms becomes increasingly evident, signaling a crucial turning point in the Post Office's history.
#PostOffice #HorizonITScandal #SubPostmasters #LegalInquiry #CorporateAccountability
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