(qlmbusinessnews.com . Fri 27th Jun, 2025) London, UK —
Operation Olympos Update: 7 Suspects Named in Post Office IT Debacle Investigation
The commencement of criminal proceedings related to the infamous Post Office Horizon IT debacle might be delayed until 2028, as conveyed by the lead investigator to the Reporters.
Metropolitan Police Commander Stephen Clayman emphasized the need for meticulous efforts from the investigation teams but affirmed that significant progress is being made. The ongoing investigation has pinpointed seven individuals as suspects while eyeing an additional 45 to 50 potential suspects. Files, however, will not be forwarded to the prosecution before the release of the concluding report from the public inquiry into the fiasco, slated for release later this year.
Tim Brentnall, a former sub-postmaster, communicated the victims' eagerness for accountability yet stressed the importance of thoroughness in the investigation process.
Initiated in 1999, the Horizon IT system was responsible for generating false financial shortfalls in numerous Post Office branches, implicating sub-postmasters in the process. This led to the prosecution of over 900 individuals, with some facing imprisonment, and tragically, others have passed away awaiting justice. A legislative move was made last year to nullify these convictions collectively.
Operation Olympos, the moniker for the criminal investigation, kicked off in 2020. By 2021, it had already conducted interviews with two suspects. Following the public phase of the inquiry, which concluded in December of the prior year, the operation's activities intensified, leading to the cautionary interview of another two suspects, both in their 60s, hinting at the potential usage of their statements in court.
Cdr Clayman disclosed that the investigation initially targeted frontline individuals such as Post Office investigators and solicitors involved in the direct decision-making process. Nonetheless, the scope is broadening to include the examination of higher management levels albeit acknowledging that this expansion will necessitate time.
Expressing confidence in the occurrence of criminal trials, Cdr Clayman however admitted to the prospective delay until 2028 for the initial ones to get underway.
Sir Wyn Williams, chairing the public inquiry, is set to release the first volume of his final report on 8 July, with a second volume expected later in the year. Following these publications, a meticulous review process will ensue, culminating in the submission of files to the Crown Prosecution Service and the eventual scheduling of court dates.
Acknowledging the commonality of such delays in extensive investigations tied to public inquiries, Cdr Clayman voiced his understanding of the frustrations felt by victimised individuals at the heart of this scandal.
Reflecting on his wrongful prosecution in 2010 over a £22,500 shortfall at his branch, which was overturned in 2021, former sub-postmaster Tim Brentnall from Roch, Pembrokeshire, criticised the Post Office's handling of his case but supported the police's approach towards a thorough investigation.
David Enright, a solicitor from the firm Howe and Co, representing several sub-postmasters in the inquiry, lamented the lack of urgency within the police investigation, highlighting the sorrow of many sub-postmasters who died without witnessing true accountability.
The investigation boasts a workforce of 108 officers distributed across four regional hubs, with Commander Clayman providing insights from the Metropolitan Police's operational centre in Sutton, South London. Tasked with sifting through millions of digitised documents, the officers' workload is expected to escalate as the document count is projected to rise from 1.5 million to six million.
All police forces across England and Wales, including the PSNI and Police Scotland, are engaged in this extensive operation. While initial issues were reported regarding the Post Office's speed in providing necessary information, improvements have been noted, with Fujitsu also described as being “very co-operative” towards the investigation.
A spokesperson for the Post Office reiterated the organisation's full cooperation with the Metropolitan Police since early 2020, ensuring the provision of all required information for the investigation's advancement.
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