This post is following from Charlie’s bulletin released on Friday, ‘The Post Office Scandal – Why Now?’. The promise of compensation has come from a representative of the Japanese tech giant Fujitsu, creators of the flawed system, Horizon, as they told MP’s that the company have a “moral obligation” to support any remedies.
The multinational corporation has come under intense scrutiny for its involvement in cases of wrongful convictions. The recent airing of the ITV drama “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office” has reignited public concern and provoked widespread indignation. The Post Office accused hundreds of sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses of stealing money; however, the lost funds were actually the result of Horizon software flaws.
“The Fujitsu Group regards this matter with the utmost seriousness and offers its deepest apologies to the sub-postmasters and their families.”
The Fujitsu Group
The Post Office began using Horizon, the new computer accounting system built by Fujitsu, in 1999.
Over ten years later, it was discovered that the prosecutions were brought about by the defective software; in 2014, a report commissioned by the Post Office described Horizon as “not fit for purpose”.
“Based on the findings of the inquiry, we will also be working with the UK government on the appropriate actions, including contribution to compensation.”
The Fujitsu Group
The government has allocated £1bn for the victims affected by Horizon, and it has previously stated that it will seek reimbursement from Fujitsu for the expenses incurred if the investigation determines their responsibility.
