Summary
Sir Alan Bates, a former subpostmaster, claims the government's compensation offer for victims of the Post Office scandal is less than half of what he sought. The scandal involved over 900 subpostmasters being wrongly prosecuted due to errors in the Horizon IT system used between 1999 and 2015. Bates criticizes the compensation process and calls for an independent body to oversee such compensation schemes.
Key Facts
- Sir Alan Bates accused the government of offering inadequate compensation.
- Over 900 subpostmasters were wrongfully prosecuted because of faults in the Horizon IT system.
- Bates led a legal action group of 555 subpostmasters against the Post Office.
- The government established a compensation fund, but progress has been slow.
- Claimants in the Group Litigation Order scheme can get either £75,000 or a separate settlement.
- As of January, £128 million has been distributed under the compensation scheme.
- Bates wants an independent body to manage compensation for this and similar issues.
- The Department for Business and Trade offers a review by an expert panel for those unhappy with their compensation.
