The Post Office’s pursuit of the innocent has destroyed public trust
SIR – The Post Office scandal (Letters, January 13) has not just opened people’s eyes to what happened to others; it has also shown us what could happen to any innocent person in an age where an organisation’s reputation is protected at all costs.
I will never again believe that the word “robust” – used to describe the Horizon computer system – means anything other than “seriously and dangerously faulty”.
Likewise, it has become clear that the phrase “You are the only one” – the response to sub-postmasters who raised concerns – actually means: “We have been inundated with complaints but aren’t going to do anything to help.”
Companies need to take note that the general public is now aware of their wiles. Rosemary J Wells
Weymouth, Dorset SIR – The Post Office has claimed that the Horizon software was “robust” (report, January 13), but on what grounds? The only way that software could have been fully tested would have been by running the old manual book-keeping system and the new computerised system together in some if not all post offices, and checking that they agreed.
To install a new accounting system in post offices without taking care to check that it was working properly amounts to incompetence on the part of the people in charge of the changeover.
Richard Holroyd
Cambridge
SIR – With the closure of many bank branches, and many people (not just the elderly) reluctant to bank online, local post offices could provide a valuable service.
However, after the appalling way in which the Post Office has treated sub-postmasters, it is now far less likely that customers will put their faith in this organisation. An opportunity has been lost unless trust can be restored.
Don Hamilton
York
SIR – Is there a school that politicians attend to learn about the art of evasion?
It was embarrassing to watch Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, avoid saying sorry to sub-postmasters for his abject failure to ask questions of the Post Office when he was the minister responsible. Charles Penfold
Ulverston, Cumbria
SIR – I take issue with William Sitwell’s description of Toby Jones, star of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, as “a hitherto completely unheard of British character actor” (Features, January 13). Mr Jones is an award-winning actor, and was one of our best long before his role as Mr Bates. Clare Hastings
London SW5