Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Paragraph: 28
We are concerned that some sub-postmasters have been denied interim compensation payments despite having had...
Conclusion
We are concerned that some sub-postmasters have been denied interim compensation payments despite having had their convictions overturned. The Post Office Ltd. (POL) and the Minister noted that this is because the reliability of Horizon evidence is not central to those individual claimants’ cases. The Horizon story has centred to a large extent on a lack of transparency and trust. It is imperative that POL decisions on compensation are scrutinised by BEIS and are open and transparent.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Further information is provided below in response to the Committee’s requests. Interim compensation payments of up to £100,000 are available to postmasters who meet the following criteria: i) their Horizon-related conviction has been overturned by the Courts; ii) they do not belong to the group of postmasters whose convictions were overturned but were not opposed by the company on public interest grounds (more information on this below); and iii) they have submitted a claim to the Post Office. If these three grounds are met, then interim compensation will be provided.4 To date, three claims for interim compensation payments have been declined for the reason given in point ii) above. In each case, the Post Office did not consider Horizon evidence to be essential to the prosecution in accordance with the Court of Appeal’s 2021 judgement in Hamilton and others; however, the Post Office did not oppose the quashing of these convictions, as it would not have been in the public interest to hold a retrial (which is the procedure in Crown Court appeals). Although these postmasters are not eligible for an interim payment, they may still submit a claim to the Post Office for compensation, which will be considered on its merits.