Inquiry Final Report Vol 1 published
Many former Postmasters and their families were at the Oval cricket ground in London to hear Sir Wyn Williams formally publish the first volume of his report into the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.
It focuses on the human impact of the scandal and the still on-going compensation issues.
In a significant development, he has recommended that children and families of Posmasters should be included in redress and restorative justice.
Here are some of the relevant sections from the report:
6.225. In my view, there is very likely to be a number of close family members of those who have been most adversely affected by Horizon who, themselves, have endured, and may still endure considerable suffering. Having weighed up the considerations set out above, I consider it fair and proper that such family members should be able to obtain financial redress which recognises their own suffering.
“Recommendation 18. The Department shall devise a process for providing financial redress to close family members of those most adversely affected by Horizon. Such family members shall qualify for such redress only if they themselves, have suffered serious adverse consequences by reason of their family relationship with the person or persons directly affected by Horizon.”
Restorative Justice
6.230. The call for a funded restorative justice programme grew louder during Phase 7 of the Inquiry. Whilst I was pleased to hear that both the Department and Fujitsu were willing to engage in discussions on this topic, I was concerned about the pace of such discussions. 6.231. I have noted the concerns raised by Mr Patterson that he (or Fujitsu) would not know how to execute some of the ideas put forward as part of a programme of restorative justice.344 There is no doubt in my mind that any such obstacle can be overcome through meaningful discussions with the Department.
6.234. As I have said in the introduction to this section, this volume is being delivered in advance of the remainder of my Report, so that action can be taken as soon as reasonably possible. I can see no reason why the Department, Post Office and Fujitsu need to wait for the remainder off my Report before they are in a position to update the Inquiry on progress which has been made in respect of discussions about a programme of Restorative Justice, and to inform the Inquiry of the outcome of their discussions.
“Recommendation 19. By 31 October 2025, the Department, Fujitsu and the Post Office shall publish, either separately or together, a report outlining any agreed programme of restorative justice and/or actions taken by that date to produce such a programme. For the avoidance of any doubt, the word Fujitsu in this recommendation is intended to include both Fujitsu Services Limited and Fujitsu Limited.”
Katie Burrows, Vice Chair of Lost Chances, said “Following Sir Wynn’s recommendation in volume one of the report, and the government’s announcement in parliament of a new scheme for the children and families, we welcome the news and look forward to working with the the government in establishing the structure and planning of the scheme.”
Lost Chances Vice Chair, Katie Burrows, with the indomitable Betty Brown