Greater than 900 subpostmasters have been wrongfully prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 in what has been dubbed the worst miscarriage of justice in British authorized historical past.
Subpostmasters’ lives have been destroyed, with some bankrupted by authorized motion and despatched to jail.
The inquiry report discovered that the injury performed was incomprehensible, with many making an attempt suicide after being accused of theft and deception. It additionally made plenty of suggestions about find out how to transfer ahead.
Monetary redress has continuously been flagged as a difficulty by subpostmasters – with many nonetheless awaiting full compensation, one other matter spoken about in size within the report.
Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the Put up Workplace Horizon IT Inquiry, mentioned on the launch of the report: “All through the entire size of the inquiry, I’ve obtained written proof and different sources of details about the character and scale of the human affect.
“The image which has emerged is profoundly disturbing.”
The primary quantity of the Horizon IT inquiry’s closing report printed on Tuesday covers the devastating affect on the lives of the scandal’s victims and the compensation course of. It begs the query, what occurs subsequent?
What is going to occur subsequent with the Put up Workplace scandal?
Prison trials are anticipated, however as but, it’s not particular that any people will face trial over the scandal.
Investigations are ongoing however “might not begin till 2028”, a police officer main the investigation has mentioned.
Senior Met officer Stephen Clayton informed the BBC: “The groups must be actually meticulous and [pay] consideration to element, however really we’re making some actual progress.”
He added that the investigation has “recognized seven suspects, and has 45 to 50 potential suspects in view”, however work is ongoing into the case.
The police have additionally mentioned they won’t hand recordsdata to prosecutors till after the ultimate report from the general public inquiry into the scandal, which is predicted in 2026, is printed.
The legal investigation into the scandal, referred to as Operation Olympos, started in 2020. Two individuals have been initially interviewed in 2021 however efforts ramped up after the general public section of the inquiry concluded in December 2024. Then, one other two individuals have been interviewed underneath warning, no names got nevertheless it was two males of their 60s.
Cdr Clayman mentioned the police began with “these on the entrance line – the Put up Workplace investigators, solicitors, those that have been concerned within the quick decision-making”.
“We’re starting to scope wider administration. That can occur, and is going on, it can simply take time to get there,” he added.
Following the conclusion of the entire report – anticipated both later this 12 months or early in 2026 – police will then undergo the findings, and hand recordsdata concerning who they consider must be charged to the CPS.
He added: “This is not unusual. Different massive investigations linked to a public inquiry have precisely the identical factor. And I actually do perceive the frustration for individuals who are on the centre of this, who’re the victims.”
