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The CPS has revealed that postmasters were prosecuted while Sir Keir Starmer was in charge, dragging him into the Post Office scandal as the Labour leader.
On Wednesday evening, the CPS announced that it pursued 11 trials involving evidence related to Horizon. During Sir Keir’s tenure, three of these cases resulted in convictions.
The scandal now shifts attention to the leader of the Labour party, following several days of public anger towards former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
The Labour party stated that Sir Keir was not aware of any instances of prosecution during his term as director of public prosecutions (DPP).
Keir Starmer described the Post Office scandal as a significant injustice.
However, in a previous interview with Sky News, he stated that he takes responsibility for any errors made during his time as DPP. This allows for scrutiny of the Labour leader’s decision to not intervene in the cases and criticism for his involvement in the scandal.
Between 1999 and 2015, a software called Horizon, created by Fujitsu for the Post Office, resulted in over 700 individuals being unjustly convicted for fraudulent accounting and theft due to errors.
The renewed attention on the controversy comes after the recent airing of the ITV series, Mr. Bates vs the Post Office.
Sir Keir addressed the scandal that occurred in parliament, stating that it was a great injustice. People lost their lives, freedom, and livelihoods as a result of this scandal. He emphasized that they have been waiting for an extended period of time for the truth to be revealed, for justice to be served, and for compensation to be given.
According to a representative of the Labour leader, while he served as chief prosecutor, he did not receive any cases related to Horizon.
The representative stated that the current controversy is one of the most severe instances of wrongful conviction in British history, and the Labour party has been advocating for prompt exoneration and compensation for those affected.
It is crucial that we take action to correct these mistakes. The Labour party is committed to helping prevent this injustice from happening again.
While Sir Keir was serving as DPP, the CPS managed over 4 million cases.
The CPS stated that most cases against postmasters were brought forward as private prosecutions. However, on Wednesday they announced that a few cases were prosecuted by the CPS using evidence related to Horizon.
A representative stated that they have thoroughly investigated and found a limited number of CPS cases that involved evidence related to Horizon.
“We have sent letters to these defendants requesting information that would allow them to appeal.”
The cases involving the CPS were pursued with honesty, using evidence from both the Post Office and the police.
In 1999, a malfunctioning Fujitsu IT system known as Horizon caused financial discrepancies to be reported at Post Office branches throughout the country. These allegations had devastating effects on individuals, resulting in job loss and homelessness.
Multiple individuals committed suicide as a result of the pressure.
To date, no individual employed by either the Post Office or Fujitsu has been held responsible for the scandal, and there has been no criminal investigation. Sadly, at least 60 of the affected individuals have passed away without receiving any form of justice.
However, Rishi Sunak declared on Wednesday that Post Office branch managers who were unjustly convicted will now be cleared of any wrongdoing.
Following a lengthy battle for fairness, numerous individuals impacted by the controversy will have their reputations cleared by the government’s proposed actions by the end of this year.
Source: independent.co.uk
