Post Office CEO Nick Read expressed his surprise at the discovery of 33 police investigations involving Post Office branches across 22 forces. Mr. Read, who is currently being questioned for the second day at the Horizon IT scandal inquiry, mentioned that he was advised not to delve into the past details of sub-postmasters’ prosecutions when he first joined the company in 2019. He shared that upon beginning his role as CEO, there was a prevailing sentiment that the Post Office needed to move forward from the Horizon scandal.
During his testimony, Mr. Read revealed that three individuals were under further investigation by the Post Office and external agencies based on allegations raised by victims of the Horizon scandal. He also discussed his oversight of the Post Office’s response to legal actions brought by wronged sub-postmasters and their subsequent compensation. The Horizon IT scandal had led to numerous postmasters facing wrongful prosecutions due to discrepancies caused by IT system errors.
The inquiry also delved into the government’s priorities for the Post Office in 2023/24, with a letter from minister Kevin Hollinrake highlighting effective financial management and stringent cost control as key concerns. The issue of postmasters’ pay came into focus, with Mr. Read acknowledging the potential conflict between maintaining cost control and increasing remuneration for postmasters.
Furthermore, Mr. Read addressed the accountability of past Post Office leaders, noting a perceived lack of consequences for former executives involved in the Horizon scandal. He also discussed the heavy-handed language in the contract for postmasters, particularly regarding investigations conducted by the Post Office’s team.
The inquiry session highlighted Mr. Read’s concerns over the magnitude of police investigations involving Post Offices and the challenges faced in providing accurate Horizon data to law enforcement. Additionally, he emphasized the need for independence in administering compensation schemes for wronged postmasters, acknowledging the inherent difficulties when the Post Office is directly involved in such processes.
Overall, Mr. Read’s testimony shed light on the complexities and ongoing repercussions of the Horizon IT scandal within the Post Office, underscoring the need for transparency, accountability, and reform to address past grievances and prevent similar issues in the future.
