At these hearings, there’s testimony from the postmaster who was closely influenced by this scandal. This can be an disagreeable listening to, however in case you are critical about correcting previous errors, it’s crucial to pay attention to these voices, be taught classes, and pay compensation.
First, I would really like to acknowledge how troublesome it’s for the affected postmaster to submit this proof. They have already endured many issues and may have deep and depressing recollections to develop. There are emotionally annoying explanations about their impression on their lives and their family members. Eventually, you’ll be able to hear that the put up workplace was traditionally too remoted and distant. We made a mistake and plenty of of our devoted postmasters failed. As Chief Executive Officer right now, I’m sorry, however I’ve determined to get this proper. We are engaged on the errors of the previous, however we have not performed this but and might’t transfer on till it is performed.
The Post Office has labored intently with Sir Win Williams’ investigation to verify that it underlies what occurred. The survey is a watershed and we should seize the chance to get it proper. Horizon costs have been filed over a protracted time frame, producing tens of hundreds of thousands of related paperwork. You want to verify the main points. We have already contributed greater than 3 million paperwork to the investigation and can proceed to assist right previous errors.
From the Scottish Borders to the Highlands, as a group-primarily based enterprise we serve, we’d like to rebuild our belief with postmasters and most people. We proceed to concentrate on offering aid to these affected by this scandal. The overwhelming majority of the 73 folks whose convictions have been overturned are at present receiving £ 100,000 in interim compensation. In Scotland, prosecutions are filed by the Royal Office and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Finance, and the Scottish Criminal Case Review Board is investigating potential false costs. We work with these companies to present as a lot help as doable.
Compensation has additionally been paid for previous monetary shortfalls related to earlier variations of Horizon, and one-third of candidates have already acquired affords. We intention to make virtually all affords by the top of the 12 months, as a separate panel that evaluates every case accelerates its vital work.
Last month, it was introduced {that a} new compensation scheme would be established to be certain that the postmaster, who filed a category motion within the High Court, would obtain the identical stage of compensation as claimed by way of the historic scarcity scheme. ..
For those that have already skilled a number of struggling, compensation should be full, honest and ultimate. But you additionally want to speed up the tempo of funds. To that finish, we proceed to urge the federal government, which is the funder of compensation, to attain an settlement with the postmaster’s statutory agent and permit funds. as quickly as.
However, it’s your accountability not solely to right the errors of the previous, but in addition to forestall such issues from occurring once more. We have made important modifications to the way in which our enterprise works from high to backside. For instance, our board of administrators at present has two non-government administrators elected by different non-government administrators. Their opinions are invaluable as we proceed to reply successfully to the wants of our prospects and their communities.
We are happy that we’ve got made progress, however we acknowledge that we nonetheless have loads to do, and this week’s Scottish listening to is a second of regret. This scandal cannot be prevented from occurring once more. My dedication as Chief Executive Officer is twofold. Correct previous errors as appropriately as doable and be certain that a put up workplace exists for folks in all Scottish communities.
Nick Reed, CEO of Post Office
