Post Office scandal

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has accused Post Office bosses of misleading him during his time as postal affairs minister. More than 700 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty accounting software, named Horizon, made it appear that money had gone missing. Sir Ed has expressed his “regret” for “not doing more” while in office. He should not be alone in this. The former leadership of the Post Office also has questions to answer.

The Horizon scandal has captured the imagination of the public following the release of an ITV drama based on the story of a subpostmaster who campaigned for justice. Yet while there is now widespread recognition of a grievous miscarriage of justice, as of last month only 93 convictions had been overturned.

There seems, also, to be no particular urgency to attempts to bring Post Office leaders to account for their apparent failures. It is a well-worn saying that the wheels of justice grind slow but exceedingly fine, but it is beginning to look as though too many of those responsible for this travesty will escape the scrutiny they are surely due.

The public inquiry into the affair has dragged on for three years and is now 13 months overdue in concluding. At the very least, these figures should be hauled in front of a public committee and made to account for their actions and omissions.

How was this scandal permitted to drag on for 16 years? Careers, lives and families were disrupted and destroyed by the relentless prosecution of innocent men and women, who were left desperate or destitute, or in some cases imprisoned.

Those responsible must face the consequences of their actions.