Anyone just watched Mr Bates v the Post Office? *GNHQ tweaked the title*

The ITV series, although dramatized, was based on verifiable evidence, court cases, enquiries, financial records and minutes from meetings. The Crown is dramatization of relationships and speculation, in the greater part, about what went on behind closed doors. It was cheap to compare the two.
The only part I didn't like was when she was seen praying in her clerical garb; no-one should speculate about private prayer.

icanhandthemback

I have been following this for years and if you wonder about how true the drama was, do some research. You'll find out how unjust the whole thing was and how Paula Vennells acted so dishonourably that the criticism is well deserved.

Well said, icanhandthenback.

I've been following it for years, too and, if anything, the facts are more harrowing to read than the dramatisation was to watch...

It's easy enough to find lots of good information on line.

eazybee

The ITV series, although dramatized, was based on verifiable evidence, court cases, enquiries, financial records and minutes from meetings. The Crown is dramatization of relationships and speculation, in the greater part, about what went on behind closed doors. It was cheap to compare the two.
The only part I didn't like was when she was seen praying in her clerical garb; no-one should speculate about private prayer.

The ITV series, although dramatized, was based on verifiable evidence, court cases, enquiries, financial records and minutes from meetings

Yes, it was.
Although I don't think Bob Rutherford was the top investigator in real life, others are the actual people who suffered.

I think most of us, apart from the Bishop, realise the difference between that dramatisation and The Crown (I've only watched one or two episodes which left me laughing in derision).

She might want to hand it back but until the King agrees she still has it

Sorry posted on wrong thread - trying to multitask

The software engineer who blew the whistle on the fact that the system allowed outsiders to log in, and not just the postmasters has asked for immunity from prosecution.

It's quite obvious that the Lib Dems and Tories in government did little until public opinion was aroused by the ITV drama. Aside from a few MPs pressing on behalf of their constituent postmasters/mistresses Ministers probably hoped it would go away as some victims would die, others would give up in the face of humiliating trials and the Post Office legal machine which appears to have fought every appeal. A belated Inquiry won't report until 2025. The money they are owed should be both redress (to reinstate them as they were) and compensation for jail time, fines, legal costs, restitution orders, etc., and for loss of mental health, family break up, loss of house, etc. And those responsible should be prosecuted for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and fraud. The PO must not be allowed to prosecute in future and ought to be taken back into the public sector so it can be properly supervised.

Hats off to ITV for making such a brilliant docu/drama which has grabbed the public's attention.

This whole scandal won't go away now. Thank goodness.

Now there is this

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12949589/Post-Office-investigator-dismissed-Horizon-victims-crooks-given-cash-bonuses-postmaster-convicted-Alan-Bates-insists-legal-fight-awaiting-compensation.html

HelterSkelter1

Hats off to ITV for making such a brilliant docu/drama which has grabbed the public's attention.

This whole scandal won't go away now. Thank goodness.

Absolutely.

It is all set to run and run.

What a relief it must be to those poor souls who were caught up in this! I hope they get absolute and full compensation for all the harm they have suffered.

I have been watching and reading this situation for years, and in particular when it was debated when questions were raised in parliament. It was always very poorly attended with little interest shown. Suddenly -my goodness - the government can’t do enough!! You would almost believe that the light being shone on a murky injustice of which the government was always fully aware has forced them into action. That and of course it is election year.

Fujitsu certainly has a lot of serious questions to answer, but seems to have got off very lightly so far.

Connections - Fujitsu a long standing partner with Infosy. Infosy company owned by Sunak’s in-laws.

I'm a bit confused as I thought horizon admitted there were problems and t was the post office who decided to ignore the facts presented to them? (sorry if I have got the wrong end of the stick)

Here's some information about Fujitsu:
The Fujitsu Fat Cats who pocketed huge salaries

Just remember they still run the Post Office because the software is integral to the functioning of the system.

In the last 10 years the Government has awarded Fujitsu 191 contracts totally £6.5 billion including the MOD, HMRC and the Home Office.

So it seems Fujitsu virtually run the country.

Worrying, isn't it, Chestnut ☹

Yes, I can certainly confirm that Fujitsu is used by HMRC - it is 20 years since I worked for a revenue dept. And it wasn’t known for its stability back then.

Whitewavemark2

Yes, I can certainly confirm that Fujitsu is used by HMRC - it is 20 years since I worked for a revenue dept. And it wasn’t known for its stability back then.

Oh great. And they are going to have access to everyone's bank accounts before long. I wonder how many pensioners and benefit claimants will be jailed for fraud, based on the fact that it is 'impossible for employees to alter their records'?

I have just been reading (after it was flagged up on X/twitter) the witness statement of a software engineer who was employed by ICL (the company which was originally commissioned to develop the Pathway & Horizon programmes, but which was taken over by Fujitsu). He is very damning. He says the whole project was badly done.

Of particular interest is the fact that he identified big problems with the Horizon point of sale module, said it had to be completely rewritten and that it would take about 6 weeks. He was over ruled and moved to another post...

So the problem was well known before the IT project went live...

Here is his witness statement. It's quite a long read.

www.postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-11/WITN00620100%20David%20McDonnell%20-%20Witness%20Statement_0.pdf

The announcement about compensation worries me.

First, what about those postmasters who have died. Will their spouses and families be redressed to where they were before the false prosecutions - that might include loss of widow's pension, loss of house, inability to support children at school or university, etc.

Second, for some postmasters the requirement to sign a statement of innocence might well put them off seeking compensation because they distrust the PO and government which have pursued innocent people through the courts. It smells of trying to imply some of them were guilty regardless of the false prosecutions. It should be dropped.

Third, for many the £600,000 fixed offer would be inadequate given their losses and suffering. Given the example set by the Home Office of asylum case backlog management I'm not optimistic that the alternative full assessment route would produce results before people die. Will the postmasters be provided with government funding to take full assessment cases forward or do they have to pay for the necessary professional help?

Fourth, several postmasters declared bankruptcy so their compensation may be claimed by the Receiver. What happens to them?

Doodledog that is very very scary when you start to really think about it, also if anything come forward how on earth can normal everyday people prove anything! it is very thought provoking.

several postmasters declared bankruptcy so their compensation may be claimed by the Receiver. What happens to them

Nowadays most bankruptcies only last for a year before being discharged.

biglouis

*several postmasters declared bankruptcy so their compensation may be claimed by the Receiver. What happens to them*

Nowadays most bankruptcies only last for a year before being discharged.

I understand some compensation has been claimed the Official Receiver. Surely the bankruptcies should be annulled and people reinstated financially.

The postmasters should receive some kind of civic honour to reflect their honesty and meritorious service given that many of them have suffered local abuse and in some cases assaults. Perhaps the King could instruct his Lords Lieutenants to hold publicised ceremonies to honour them.

I agree, that £600,000 depending on how individual victims have been affected, in some cases especially where custodial sentences were applied, seems less than adequate.

In the series the widow of the man who stepped out in front of the bus, was given 24 hours to accept some sort of compensatory offer and if, I remember rightly, forced to sign a grubby non disclosure agreement, thus exonerating the PO from any liability. At times it seemed the poor victims were dealing with the mafia rather than a previously respected public body.

Doodledog

Whitewavemark2

Yes, I can certainly confirm that Fujitsu is used by HMRC - it is 20 years since I worked for a revenue dept. And it wasn’t known for its stability back then.

Oh great. And they are going to have access to everyone's bank accounts before long. I wonder how many pensioners and benefit claimants will be jailed for fraud, based on the fact that it is 'impossible for employees to alter their records'?

I have been saying this Doodledog. I can't see how "guilty till proven innocent" won't happen all over again to, in some cases, more frail and less knowledgeable people.