The inquiry into the scandal-hit Post Office has revealed disturbing findings regarding the use of racist language towards black workers until as recently as 2016. The document in question, which referred to branch operators as “negroid types”, surfaced last year and shed light on the discriminatory practices within the organisation.
John Bartlett, the director of assurance and complex investigations at the Post Office, admitted that the use of such outdated and offensive language was inherited from the organisation’s split from the Royal Mail Group in 2012. The document categorized operators based on their racial origins, including terms like “Chinese/Japanese types” and “dark skinned European types”.
While the prosecutions related to account shortfalls ended in 2013, the document continued to be shared internally until 2016. Bartlett highlighted that a second phase of investigation to analyze the impact of these identity codes on decision-making was abruptly halted in 2024, raising questions about accountability and transparency within the Post Office.
Moreover, Bartlett acknowledged the presence of a pervasive culture of fear and poor decision-making at the senior management level, leading to numerous reports of misconduct and bullying. This toxic work environment not only affects employee morale but also raises concerns about the integrity of the organization as a whole.
In a troubling development, it was revealed that the Post Office had attempted to use unreliable data from the Horizon IT system to support a criminal case against a branch owner operator. Bartlett emphasized that Fujitsu, the provider of the Horizon system, had a duty to inform the Post Office about the data’s accuracy, underscoring the need for accountability and transparency in all aspects of the investigation.
Additionally, a whistleblower accused a senior Post Office executive of ordering the destruction or concealment of potentially relevant materials, prompting an investigation by the Met police. These allegations further underscore the need for a thorough and impartial inquiry into the Post Office’s practices and the accountability of its leadership.
Overall, the revelations from the inquiry paint a troubling picture of systemic racism, misconduct, and poor decision-making within the Post Office. It is imperative that steps are taken to address these issues, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure a more transparent and inclusive work environment for all employees.
