Post Office Scandal in the UK: How the giant machinery of government and administration can crush lay people - IV
NewsBharati 20-Sep-2025 10:38:05 AM
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THE CASE OF WIDESPREAD MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE
In the last article, it is explained in detail that the Post Office went to great lengths to defend itself and even used all its might to suppress the available evidence. It was believed that it was saving its brand value. Obviously, it did not succeed because the facts contradicted its argument. All the affected individuals had a long wait of two decades. Many might have lost hope, but Justice prevailed.
UK government introduced the legislation to overturn the wrongful convictions. In 2024, the act was passed in the UK parliament that made provision to quash convictions of the eligible Sub Postmasters who were wrongly convicted. The Post Office also offered an apology, and some appeals were not contested by the Post Office after that point. Every post master was given an opportunity to apply.
The government clearly accepted that a great injustice was done to the Sub Postmasters and the concerned staff of the Post Office. The next step was compensation schemes for all who were the victims. One scheme could not accommodate all the types of victims. So, almost 4 schemes were introduced, the Post Office was also asked to contact the Sub Postmasters. A fixed sum was also offered, but it was not easy to calculate the compensation. There were many factors involved in calculating the compensation.
Sub Postmasters had to fight the legal battle for a couple of decades; of course, they fought it in a way to regain their self-esteem. A large amount was paid for the legal services for the sub-Postmasters who used to defend themselves. ( Even the Post department too spent a huge amount to argue its case at various levels. This was very unfortunate, as it was fighting to suppress the facts. ) It is really difficult to understand how high officials, directors, politicians and even some experts initially supported the stand of the Post department. Accepting some flaws in the system was equated with the disrepute of the brand value. Ultimately, the cover-up did not work; though it took 2 decades to uncover it, the truth prevailed.
Sub Postmasters had to pay for the wrongly calculated losses; they lost their source of income, and ultimately, their self-respect was at stake. They wanted to reclaim their dignity, having suffered humiliation and disrepute in society. These were the things which could not be evaluated or calculated using any standard method of compensation.
They certainly deserved redressal. Some recommendations were given by the committee.
It was suggested that the Post Office was to be removed from the redress scheme.
Legal advice was expected to be given to the claimants.
Binding timeframes were sought for executing the schemes of compensation at each stage.
A person ( with authority ) working independently was to be appointed to settle and move the claims swiftly.
It was expected to have a taxpayer-funded lawyer to speed up the process, and the cost spent on lawyers was to be published.
Redressal was to be provided to the family members affected by the scandal. Even those adversely affected were expected to be given compensation.
The amount of compensation is really huge; the government has made provision for it. The amount people were made to pay from their pockets, too, cannot be easily calculated. As the process of compensation would also take time to cover all the victims, that amount cannot be given exactly. Once the inquiry comes to a conclusion, I will try to present the significant aspects of the process in future.
Some lessons were supposed to be learned by the Post department, too. The administration was expected to have a humane face while dealing with problems. Training and stronger assistance are expected to be provided when new technology is introduced. Significant changes are expected to be made at the policy level. A culture of accountability and transparency underlines the need.
Post Office and Fugitsu were to meet the sufferers to discuss the impact,take responsibility and work collaboratively to make changes.
Though all wanted the government to punish the people responsible for the disaster, it is not an easy process. Innumerable documents are to be studied for the investigation. It seems that it would take at least a couple of years to name the people responsible for the scandal and suffering. So in the near future, it doesn't seem possible.
While reading and analysing various aspects of the scandal, many questions are raised in my mind. Readers also shared their thoughts and expressed surprise at a few points.
The first point was how the. Software was not tested carefully before being it into use. ( People with sound technical knowledge specially raised this point. ) There was no system to raise the valid concerns, and no efforts were made to verify the concerns raised repeatedly.
Experts in banking transactions found it very surprising that the suspense account reconciliation was not done regularly. When money was parked in the suspense accounts, it certainly ought to have reflected in the profit. How was this not paid attention to, besides that the Sub Postmasters were compelled to pay the shortfalls. The profit percentage might have increased because the double amount was deposited. How was this not analysed carefully, and no one could perceive it?
What made the high officials believe so strongly in the Horizon system? ( It is clear now that the department people knew that something was amiss then, too. ) Fujitsu company still works closely with the government and administration on many projects. It would take some time to complete the process of compensation and punishing the people responsible for the scandal, which resulted in a WIDE MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE. Let us wait and watch it.
Fortunately the things are changing for the better in Bharat gradually. Recently, the Supreme Court took a strong decision related to the recruitment of teachers in West Bengal. The entire process is cancelled and conducting the examination afresh is made mandatory. Would try to get the necessary details and present.
I thank the readers for sharing their views. It keeps encouraging me.
In the last article, it is explained in detail that the Post Office went to great lengths to defend itself and even used all its might to suppress the available evidence. It was believed that it was saving its brand value. Obviously, it did not succeed because the facts contradicted its argument. All the affected individuals had a long wait of two decades. Many might have lost hope, but Justice prevailed.
UK government introduced the legislation to overturn the wrongful convictions. In 2024, the act was passed in the UK parliament that made provision to quash convictions of the eligible Sub Postmasters who were wrongly convicted. The Post Office also offered an apology, and some appeals were not contested by the Post Office after that point. Every post master was given an opportunity to apply.
The government clearly accepted that a great injustice was done to the Sub Postmasters and the concerned staff of the Post Office. The next step was compensation schemes for all who were the victims. One scheme could not accommodate all the types of victims. So, almost 4 schemes were introduced, the Post Office was also asked to contact the Sub Postmasters. A fixed sum was also offered, but it was not easy to calculate the compensation. There were many factors involved in calculating the compensation.
Sub Postmasters had to fight the legal battle for a couple of decades; of course, they fought it in a way to regain their self-esteem. A large amount was paid for the legal services for the sub-Postmasters who used to defend themselves. ( Even the Post department too spent a huge amount to argue its case at various levels. This was very unfortunate, as it was fighting to suppress the facts. ) It is really difficult to understand how high officials, directors, politicians and even some experts initially supported the stand of the Post department. Accepting some flaws in the system was equated with the disrepute of the brand value. Ultimately, the cover-up did not work; though it took 2 decades to uncover it, the truth prevailed.
Sub Postmasters had to pay for the wrongly calculated losses; they lost their source of income, and ultimately, their self-respect was at stake. They wanted to reclaim their dignity, having suffered humiliation and disrepute in society. These were the things which could not be evaluated or calculated using any standard method of compensation.
They certainly deserved redressal. Some recommendations were given by the committee.
It was suggested that the Post Office was to be removed from the redress scheme.
Legal advice was expected to be given to the claimants.
Binding timeframes were sought for executing the schemes of compensation at each stage.
A person ( with authority ) working independently was to be appointed to settle and move the claims swiftly.
It was expected to have a taxpayer-funded lawyer to speed up the process, and the cost spent on lawyers was to be published.
Redressal was to be provided to the family members affected by the scandal. Even those adversely affected were expected to be given compensation.
The amount of compensation is really huge; the government has made provision for it. The amount people were made to pay from their pockets, too, cannot be easily calculated. As the process of compensation would also take time to cover all the victims, that amount cannot be given exactly. Once the inquiry comes to a conclusion, I will try to present the significant aspects of the process in future.
Some lessons were supposed to be learned by the Post department, too. The administration was expected to have a humane face while dealing with problems. Training and stronger assistance are expected to be provided when new technology is introduced. Significant changes are expected to be made at the policy level. A culture of accountability and transparency underlines the need.
Post Office and Fugitsu were to meet the sufferers to discuss the impact,take responsibility and work collaboratively to make changes.
Though all wanted the government to punish the people responsible for the disaster, it is not an easy process. Innumerable documents are to be studied for the investigation. It seems that it would take at least a couple of years to name the people responsible for the scandal and suffering. So in the near future, it doesn't seem possible.
While reading and analysing various aspects of the scandal, many questions are raised in my mind. Readers also shared their thoughts and expressed surprise at a few points.
The first point was how the. Software was not tested carefully before being it into use. ( People with sound technical knowledge specially raised this point. ) There was no system to raise the valid concerns, and no efforts were made to verify the concerns raised repeatedly.
Experts in banking transactions found it very surprising that the suspense account reconciliation was not done regularly. When money was parked in the suspense accounts, it certainly ought to have reflected in the profit. How was this not paid attention to, besides that the Sub Postmasters were compelled to pay the shortfalls. The profit percentage might have increased because the double amount was deposited. How was this not analysed carefully, and no one could perceive it?
What made the high officials believe so strongly in the Horizon system? ( It is clear now that the department people knew that something was amiss then, too. ) Fujitsu company still works closely with the government and administration on many projects. It would take some time to complete the process of compensation and punishing the people responsible for the scandal, which resulted in a WIDE MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE. Let us wait and watch it.
Fortunately the things are changing for the better in Bharat gradually. Recently, the Supreme Court took a strong decision related to the recruitment of teachers in West Bengal. The entire process is cancelled and conducting the examination afresh is made mandatory. Would try to get the necessary details and present.
I thank the readers for sharing their views. It keeps encouraging me.
Prof. Vidya Deshpande
Professor Vidya Deshpande has had a journey of more than four decades in the field of education. Her main expertise is in the subject of Philosophy, and she has worked as a teacher of philosophy and logic with Nowrosjee Wadia college for 36 years. She has been associated with the Janakalyan Blood bank for last for 38 years and has also carried out the responsibility as a management committee member of Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha for 10 years. Her special fields of interest are Philosophy of social sciences, school education, development of skills for self reliance, and top up skills to make students profession ready,