A Fujitsu boss has instructed the Horizon IT inquiry he raised “serious concerns” in regards to the “behaviour” of the Publish Workplace investigations workforce earlier this yr.
Greater than 900 sub-postmasters had been wrongly prosecuted and acquired legal convictions between 1999 and 2015, as Fujitsu’s defective Horizon IT system made it seem as if cash was lacking at their branches – with many nonetheless awaiting compensation.
On Tuesday, the inquiry analyzing the scandal was proven a letter dated 17 Could, written by Fujitsu’s European boss Paul Patterson to Publish Workplace chief govt Nick Learn.
In it, Mr Patterson wrote: “I am writing to you directly in order to raise serious concerns that have come to my attention which indicate that the Post Office continues to pursue enforcement against postmasters and it expects (Fujitsu) to support such actions.
“To be clear, (Fujitsu) won’t help the Publish Workplace to behave in opposition to postmasters.”
Mr Learn responded by saying the corporate doesn’t and won’t undertake prosecutions in opposition to sub-postmasters as a prosecutorial physique, including there are “fundamental misunderstandings at [Fujitsu] about Post Office’s current-day culture and activities”.
The Publish Workplace boss, who not too long ago introduced his resignation as chief govt, additionally instructed Mr Patterson that Horizon knowledge was not getting used for “civil recoveries from postmasters”.
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Publish Workplace chief govt Nick Learn not too long ago introduced his resignation Pic: Home of Commons/PA
Underneath the heading “criminal investigations”, Mr Patterson stated: “We have become aware of a recent investigation by the City of London Police into a Post Office branch.
“The method of (Fujitsu) is to co-operate with the police and some other third occasion exercising unbiased investigative, prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial powers. Nonetheless, we’re involved by the behaviour of the Publish Workplace investigation workforce on this matter.
“The team maintains an approach of Post Office as ‘victim’ and requires (Fujitsu) to provide a witness statement as to the reliability of Horizon data stating that without such statement the case will not progress.
“For the investigations workforce to behave on this method appears to ignore the intense criticisms raised in a number of judicial findings and certainly displays a scarcity of respect to the continued inquiry.”
Questioned about the contents of the letter, Post Office non-executive director Saf Ismail told the inquiry: “I believe Fujitsu are proper in what they’re saying. I discover it disappointing that this was not mentioned on the board.”
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Saf Ismail gave proof to the Horizon inquiry on Tuesday. Pic: PA/Horizon Inquiry
In his response dated 30 Could, Mr Learn stated: “In respect of enforcement, Post Office’s requests only relate to cases where our teams are supporting criminal investigations or prosecutions pursued by independent third parties, such as the police or the Crown Prosecution Service.”
He stated the unbiased investigations may very well be initiated by a 3rd occasion, postmasters suspecting legal exercise from employees, or the Publish Workplace.
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Jailed sub-postmistress watches proof
In his unique letter, Mr Patterson went on to debate the subject of “pursuit of shortfalls from postmasters”, saying: “It seems the Post Office may be continuing to pursue postmasters for shortfalls in their accounts using Horizon data.
“We might have anticipated that the Publish Workplace has modified its behaviour in mild of the criticisms and is appropriately circumspect with respect to any enforcement actions. It shouldn’t be counting on Horizon knowledge as the premise for such shortfall enforcement.”
Mr Learn instructed Mr Patterson civil recoveries had been halted by the Publish Workplace in 2018 so Horizon knowledge “is not currently being used for civil recoveries from postmasters”.
In the meantime, Publish Workplace campaigner Sir Alan Bates has blamed authorities “flimflam artists” for dragging out monetary redress for victims.
And earlier this week, a survey instructed most sub-postmasters are nonetheless reporting points with the Horizon IT system that led to tons of being wrongly convicted.
The inquiry continues.
