There can be no further delay in justice for the Horizon scandal victims
SIR – The ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, about the Horizon scandal, highlights the appalling treatment of many sub-postmasters and the tardy response to this miscarriage of justice.
Time drags on while people continue to lead lives ruined by mistakes and lies. It is equally concerning that none of the Post Office officials responsible have been brought to face charges.
British justice appears to have lost its previously good reputation. Inquiries last too long, and do too little for the victims.
Martin R Cooper West Horsley, Surrey SIR – The calls for Paula Vennells, the former head of the Post Office, to hand back her CBE over the Horizon scandal don’t go far enough.
She and fellow executives must be held to account formally. The victims of this travesty are due not only financial compensation, but also public exoneration. There needs to be a full and honest explanation of what happened to them through no fault of their own.
Vincent Hearne
Chinon, Val de Loire, France
SIR – Jasper Rees, reviewing Mr Bates vs The Post Office (Television, January 2), warned that it would make one’s blood boil. It did.
Despite the attempted cover-up, I believe no one responsible has been prosecuted and the Government is dragging its heels over compensation.
This is a perfect example of how corrupt our institutions and their leaders have become. It will be an Augean task to remedy the situation, and I don’t see anyone with the ability or the courage to take it on.
Justice Hawkins Torrington, Devon
SIR – Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, claims to have been misled by Post Office executives over the Horizon scandal when he was postal affairs minister (report, January 4). We should expect ministers to follow their instincts, not roll over at the least resistance.
Sir Ed is now putting himself forward as a potential prime minister, but he is quite obviously not up to the role. Malcolm Parkinson
Sway, Hampshire
SIR – Sir Ed Davey said he was misled. No doubt he was, but any competent person would surely have wanted to know that either the Post Office was full of crooks and the new computer system was exposing them – or that this system was at fault.
Either way it does not look good, and I hope voters remember. The truth is that this is one of the worst miscarriages of justice the country has ever seen – and, so far, the punishment for those responsible has been pathetic.
C M Watkins Brentwood, Essex