Post office farce

I wouldn't describe it as a farce - it has been a scandal and a terrible tragedy to people who have been wrongly convicted of theft and some even sent to prison.

I hope these people are able to take civil action for significant compensation. As one of the solicitors said, nothing can compensate them for the disgrace and shame that they have had to endure all these years - or the loss of employment prospects and income. One woman interviewed on TV said she was actually five months pregnant when she was sent to prison.

I've followed this too. The victims of this miscarriage of justice need prompt and proportionate compensation (although I doubt money could repair the damage done), and for the post office to take accountability for their actions. How these people and their families suffered is truly awful. No excuses. No delays.

They will get out of paying compensation. The legal aid system has been dismantled, and the poor victims will have to fork out for justice from their own pockets.

songstress60

They will get out of paying compensation. The legal aid system has been dismantled, and the poor victims will have to fork out for justice from their own pockets.

I’m not as pessimistic as this - I think there will be moves to settle this out of court. The real issue will be the amount awarded. But of course, the Windrush compensation scheme does not fill one with confidence. Depends who’s put in charge of it.

I can't add to what's already been expressed here. But I wanted to say something in support of those poor people who have been treated so cruelly by the PO and 'the system'. I hope that proper compensation is quickly paid to those affected. Though of course, nothing can compensate fully for the distress this caused in the first place.

I agree there should be a public enquiry and that those responsible at the PO - whether or not they're still in post - are brought to book.

I'm appalled that Ms Vennells appears still to be so highly regarded in various quarters. How does that work?

I think a bit of people power is called for; a petition to parliament for one thing and then another calling for compensation to be awarded ASAP.

Loislovesstewie

I think a bit of people power is called for; a petition to parliament for one thing and then another calling for compensation to be awarded ASAP.

A bit of leadership from our PM wouldn't come amiss - instead of mouthing platitudes, he could at a stroke announce a public enquiry and set up an independent compensation board - I’d put Kate Bingham in charge. But to do that, he’d have to care about the little people. As if

As for PV and her continuing roles, especially in the C of E, words fail me. If she had an ounce of decency, she’d resign from all of them given the organisations concerned are doing nothing. Apparently she had to leave her NHS position after a consultant at the hospital referred her appointment to CQC as breaching goodness knows what rules. She was appointed to that quite recently and one does do wonder about her relationship with Hancock

I am shocked about Vennels as well Blinko does seem that in the Civil Service and big companies people are promoted or given new roles to match their level of incompetence or dishonesty. I believe she is now a minister of religion, unbelievable. I hope Dunelm and other companies see her now for what she is.

Absolutely dreadful! Our own village postmaster and his assistant were dismissed over this fiasco.

sodapop

I am shocked about Vennels as well Blinko does seem that in the Civil Service and big companies people are promoted or given new roles to match their level of incompetence or dishonesty. I believe she is now a minister of religion, unbelievable. I hope Dunelm and other companies see her now for what she is.

PV roles across the public and private sector- she’s currently gracing Morrison’s and Dunelm Boards with her presence It’s all about who you know not the sector. Imo when this whole PO business was clearly coming to a head, it was arranged for her to step down whilst several appointments to boards were arranged for her . On leaving the PO not only did she pocket £5 m in bonuses but the combined salaries of the various board positions came to £174,000.

The woman has no conscience or shame it would seem suziewoozie she is not alone of course in this particular shameful episode.

Vennels has left the Boards of Morrison's and Dunelm with immediate effect. She has also stepped down from her role as a church minister. Jumping before she is pushed I suppose.

Not before time Sarnia but as you say I don't imagine it was voluntary

Sarnia

Vennels has left the Boards of Morrison's and Dunelm with immediate effect. She has also stepped down from her role as a church minister. Jumping before she is pushed I suppose.

My guess is she had the ‘phone call’ . It’s what happens in the upper echelons of power - allowed to ‘resign’ or ‘step down’. Only plebs get sacked. I expect Welby has been on the phone as well offering prayers for forgiveness.

Not a bad little earner, £4.9 million for the ordained priest, ex post office boss. What a scandal ! Is she going to share her windfall with all those whose lives have been ruined ?

EllanVannin

Not a bad little earner, £4.9 million for the ordained priest, ex post office boss. What a scandal ! Is she going to share her windfall with all those whose lives have been ruined ?

If only!

EllanVannin

Not a bad little earner, £4.9 million for the ordained priest, ex post office boss. What a scandal ! Is she going to share her windfall with all those whose lives have been ruined ?

Now that would be some sort of justice...

Private Eye have been running this for years, the only ones as far as I am aware, who did so. This is not a 'fiasco' it is a grave miscarriage of justice. Has Johnson jumped in to say anything about this like he did with the Football Super League? There should be a criminal prosecution here, families lives and reputations were ruined, and I heard one woman say that it was only the fact that she was pregnant that stopped her from committing suicide. The emotional and financial distress these people suffered is beyond belief; you lose your home, your job, your reputation, who is going to employ someone who has been fired for fraud and theft? It is astonishing that anyone should think that hundreds and hundreds of previously honest and reliable Post Office staff would suddenly all decide to commit fraud.

Gill tbf the BBC in its excellent programmes like File on 4 etc have also been running the story for years - that’s where I first heard of it

Yes I believe they have, it is just that I have been following it in Private Eye for years, and as far as I am aware, no other publication or newspaper has taken up the campaign. This is out there now, and maybe we need to write/email our MPs and ask that it be dealt with in an open way for all to see. There needs to be criminal prosecutions here.

GillT57 - It is astonishing that anyone should think that hundreds and hundreds of previously honest and reliable Post Office staff would suddenly all decide to commit fraud.

This is the bit that I can't understand either Gill. Its beyond belief really, and words fail me. And as for that Vennells woman, how was she practicing her Christian beliefs?

GillT57

Yes I believe they have, it is just that I have been following it in Private Eye for years, and as far as I am aware, no other publication or newspaper has taken up the campaign. This is out there now, and maybe we need to write/email our MPs and ask that it be dealt with in an open way for all to see. There needs to be criminal prosecutions here.

I agree - just not ‘sexy’ enough - boring little people doing boring little jobs.

This terrible situation was brought to my attention by the Jeremy Vine show years ago. I honestly can’t believe how long it’s taken for the victims to be exonerated.
My heart aches for them all, especially the ones who took their own lives or have died in the meantime.
I sincerely hope they are all compensated financially even though they will never get back the years they lost to the shame of wrongful accusations.
I also pray that those culpable will be identified and punished.

suziewoozie

Sarnia

Vennels has left the Boards of Morrison's and Dunelm with immediate effect. She has also stepped down from her role as a church minister. Jumping before she is pushed I suppose.

My guess is she had the ‘phone call’ . It’s what happens in the upper echelons of power - allowed to ‘resign’ or ‘step down’. Only plebs get sacked. I expect Welby has been on the phone as well offering prayers for forgiveness.

Welby may be offering prayers of forgiveness but the Bishop of St. Alban's, who was Vennels 'boss' when she was working for the church, said she was right to step down from church duties. That was it. No gushing about how wonderful she had been and how much she would be missed. He then went on to say a little about the effect this cruel state of affairs had on innocent Post Office employees. Turns out the Bishop's father was a sub-postmaster. Ooops!