Post Office inquiry must move quickly
As the public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal resumed yesterday, it was difficult to escape the sense that it risked being eclipsed by events. While the inquiry’s chairman was explaining that it could well drag into next year and witnesses attempted to deflect blame, Downing Street was announcing compensation funds to go alongside the planned exoneration of sub-postmasters.
Now in its fourth calendar year, the inquiry must demonstrate that it still serves a purpose. Yesterday’s hearing on the conduct of Post Office investigators was a promising start, uncovering shocking behaviour, but it has further to go.
Media attention has succeeded in bringing a form of justice to those the legal system so grievously failed, while some witnesses appear to be stonewalling in order to avoid potentially incriminating themselves. The architect of the Horizon IT system, in particular, has so far unsuccessfully sought assurances that his testimony will not be used against him in any prosecution.
The Metropolitan Police Service opened a first criminal investigation into the scandal in 2020, but has made no arrests in the four years since, with some speculation that it was anxious to avoid impeding the conduct of the inquiry. Now that a second criminal investigation has been opened, it is all but certain that Post Office witnesses will be even less forthcoming than they were previously.
The concern must be that the inquiry, rather than helping to right a wrong, could now find itself getting in the way. A cynic might note that this is the Westminster system working as intended; if in doubt, don’t act. Instead, open an inquiry, and kick the can down the road. If this was indeed the plan, it has failed badly. Public attention is now firmly fixed upon the scandal. The spectacle of a parade of witnesses stating that they do not know, have no comment to make, or cannot remember while justice continues to be delayed is unlikely to win the Government many friends.
The inquiry must prove that it is not simply wasting time and racking up costs. It would be absurd for its final report to be released years from now when compensation has been paid and subpostmasters exonerated, particularly if in the interim its continuance were to hinder the police.
The aim must be to move swiftly, working to uncover what went wrong, and clearing the way for the Metropolitan Police to investigate whether criminal behaviour took place.