Postal Hero Bates Secures Million-Dollar Horizon Settlement
Sir Alan Bates has reached a significant milestone in his fight for justice related to the Post Office Horizon scandal. The former sub-postmaster secured a settlement worth between £4 million and £5 million. This agreement comes after over two decades of campaigning against one of Britain’s most severe miscarriages of justice.
Settlement Details
The government offered Bates a “take it or leave it” proposal earlier this spring, which he stated only covered 49.2% of his initial claim. Nevertheless, the final settlement indicates a more substantial resolution, suggesting that his original claim could have been around £10 million, although these figures remain unconfirmed.
Government Response
- The government has acknowledged Bates’ relentless advocacy for victims.
- To date, over £1.2 billion has been distributed to more than 9,000 victims of the scandal.
- Officials confirmed that Bates’ claim has now concluded within the compensation scheme.
Background of the Horizon Scandal
The Horizon software system, developed by Fujitsu, was proven faulty. This resulted in the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters from 1999 to 2015. Tragically, some individuals were driven to take their own lives due to the financial and emotional turmoil caused by these accusations.
Call for Justice
Sir Alan Bates led significant efforts to expose the problems with the Horizon system. His advocacy gained further visibility when ITV produced a drama titled “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office,” prompting the government to expedite the compensation process for victims. However, many have criticized the compensation scheme as inadequate and flawed.
Compensation Scheme Issues
Bates previously referred to the compensation process as “quasi-kangaroo courts.” He criticized the Department for Business and Trade for altering rules and rejecting claims arbitrarily. In the past, he faced offers that he considered derisory, with initial proposals representing only a fraction of his claim.
Legal Proceedings
In 2017, Bates and 555 sub-postmasters successfully sued the Post Office, leading to a £58 million settlement. However, excessive legal fees reduced the group’s net compensation to merely £12 million, which spurred the establishment of a dedicated compensation scheme.
Inquiry Findings
The first volume of Sir Wyn Williams’s public inquiry into this matter was released in July. It revealed that at least 13 individuals may have taken their own lives amid wrongful accusations related to the flawed Horizon system.
Post Office Reputation and Future Actions
The Horizon scandal has severely tarnished the Post Office’s reputation, as well as that of former executives like Paula Vennells. Even after significant upheaval and changes in management, the organization continues to face scrutiny.
Looking Ahead
A new management team is now focused on improving postmasters’ pay and enhancing technology systems. Additionally, the government announced a new compensation scheme to address issues related to the Capture accounting software, which was used in the Post Offices from 1992 to 2000.
