Paul Howell MP is pleased under new laws to be brought forward by the Government, hundreds of innocent postmasters who were wrongfully convicted due to the Horizon scandal will have their names cleared.
In the coming days, the government will consider whether this blanket exoneration should apply to the small number of convictions which have been upheld by the appeal courts.
Once this legislation is passed and convictions have been quashed, individuals will be entitled to at least £600,000 in compensation to rebuild their lives.
The government has also confirmed that it will take action to make sure the postmasters who played a crucial role in first exposing the Horizon scandal receive the compensation they deserve.
These individuals – also known as the Group Litigation Order cohort – who did not receive a criminal conviction but paid out considerable sums of money because of the Horizon failures, will receive at least £75,000 in compensation upfront.
The government will also consult the independent Advisory Board on the approach to compensation payments, to see if there are further steps we can take to hold the Post Office to account and speed up payments for everyone impacted by the scandal.
The government recognises that this Bill may lead to the overturning of some convictions that were rightfully brought. In line with the wishes of some of the victims, the government will therefore introduce safeguards to make sure anyone who was rightly convicted, and is now trying to take advantage of compensation schemes, can be prosecuted in the future.
Legislation will apply to England and Wales only. Conversations with other UK jurisdictions remain ongoing.
Paul Howell MP said:
"I was pleased to be in the Chamber today whilst Minister for Postal Affairs, Kevin Hollinrake, spoke passionately on the Horizon Scandal and justice for our innocent postmasters who were wrongfully convicted.
I very much welcome the new laws to be brought forward by the Government and it is crucial these come in to action rapidly to help provide the much needed support.
There is plenty more that needs to be done and the Government is fully committed to delivering the best outcome in the shortest amount of time."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
"This is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in this country’s history, with hundreds of people having their lives ruined and reputations dragged through mud.
Too many still have wrongful convictions tied to their name, and we cannot continue to fail them.
We must do everything we can to exonerate and compensate these innocent people, and make sure they finally get the justice they deserve."
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk said:
"Fairness is a core pillar of our justice system and there can be no doubt hundreds of innocent post-masters and mistresses have suffered an intolerable miscarriage of justice at the hands of the Post Office.
These are truly exceptional circumstances, and we must right this wrong quickly, ensuring those convicted can be fairly and swiftly compensated."
Minister for Postal Affairs Kevin Hollinrake said:
"Postmasters have been fighting for years to get the justice they deserve, and today’s announcement will ensure wrongful convictions are overturned and swifter access to compensation.
The Post Office Horizon Scandal is widely described as the biggest miscarriage of justice in our history and it’s important that steps like we’ve announced today are being taken to right the wrongs of the past."
Full Details Here:
Government to quash wrongful Post Office convictions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
