Post Office scandal victims say compensation fight goes on

Rab Thomson was wrongly convicted of embezzlement in 2006 and had to wait 18 years for the conviction to be quashed

Scottish victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal say their fight for "full and fair compensation" goes on after the publication of the first part of the public inquiry's final report.

Volume one of Sir Wyn Williams' report, which focuses on the human impact and compensation, says the scandal had a "disastrous" impact on victims.

It says those involved suffered from the "wholly unacceptable behaviour" of both the Post Office and Fujitsu, which operated the Horizon software.

More than 70 people in Scotland have had their convictions overturned after they were wrongly accused of crimes like theft because of the faulty Post Office IT system.

But the scandal runs deeper than those prosecuted, with many more people losing livelihoods and relationships as a result of false accusations.

Thousands of people across the UK have been affected by what has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice of recent times.

Former sub-postmaster Rab Thomson said finally seeing the report published had "brought back one or two tears".

His case was one of 17 used by former high court judge Sir Wyn Williams to illustrate how people suffered.

Mr Thomson, who ran the Cambus post office in Clackmannanshire, was wrongly convicted of embezzlement in 2006 and had to wait 18 years for the conviction to be quashed.

The report details the "significant adverse" impact he suffered following his conviction, including his children being bullied at school.

"It looks like we're going to be able to fight for compensation for my family and they are at the forefront of my mind just now," he said.

"I'm not going to go away."

He added: "It's about time the UK government woke up and paid what we're due."

First findings from the inquiry

Speaking for the UK government, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he welcomed the publication of the report and said he was committed to "ensuring wronged sub-postmasters are given full, fair, and prompt redress".

Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said: "We must never lose sight of the Horizon scandal's human impact on postmasters and their families, which the inquiry has highlighted so well.

"Sir Wyn's report highlights a series of failings by the Post Office and various governments. His recommendations are immensely helpful as a guide for what is needed to finish the job, and we will respond in full to Parliament after carefully considering them."

Post Office victims gathered outside the inquiry in central London

A statutory public inquiry into the UK-wide scandal was established in 2021 and has heard from hundreds of witnesses from across the country.

Victims, lawyers and journalists were among those gathered in central London when the chair of the inquiry delivered the first part of his report.

Rab Thomson said it was a "really emotional moment" as he recalled years of watching his family suffer.

He said: "I've been thinking about my mum. She'd be really proud of me today.

"Hopefully she's up there looking down, smiling and giving me a cuddle when it's all over and done with. We'll keep our fingers crossed that we do get success after today."

Post Office apologises 'unreservedly'

In his report, the inquiry's chair Sir Wyn Williams notes the trauma suffered by those who were interviewed under caution, prosecuted and convicted.

Post-conviction, many were subject to "harsh and abusive behaviour" from members of their community, and were ostracised.

Many considered or subjected themselves to self-harm and suffered psychological harm and health issues. In addition, 19 people said they abused alcohol, which they attributed to their experiences with Horizon and the Post Office.

The family members of sub-postmasters also endured "very significant suffering". Some spoke of the adverse impact on their children, while many experienced "vitriolic abuse from their local community".

Many sub-postmasters also described significant delays in receiving compensation.

The Post Office has released a statement apologising "unreservedly" for postmasters' suffering.

"Today, we apologise unreservedly for the suffering which Post Office caused to postmasters and their loved ones," a spokesperson said, explaining that the inquiry "brought to life the devastating stories" of those impacted by the scandal.

"Their experiences represent a shameful period in our history.

"We will carefully consider the report and its recommendations."

Keith Macaldowie gave evidence to the inquiry in 2022

Keith Macaldowie gave evidence to the inquiry when it came to Glasgow in 2022.

He ran a post office in Greenock and was forced to resign in 2011 after an alleged shortfall of £10,000 was uncovered.

He was not convicted but lost his livelihood and told the inquiry he came close to suicide.

He finally reached a financial settlement with the company in March this year.

Speaking ahead of the publication of the findings, he said: "What I hope from the first part of the inquiry report is for the redress scheme to speed up and get everyone paid what they are due.

"I also hope that it helps with the police investigation that is ongoing."

Ravinder Naga wants those responsible for the scandal to go to prison

Ravinder Naga falsely confessed to stealing money from his mother's post office in Greenock in 2009 to protect her from going to prison. Appeal judges overturned his conviction last year.

He told BBC Scotland News he wants accountability.

"The people who died, they don't know their names have been cleared. They died before all this came out," he said.

While the focus of the report is on the victims and compensation, Mr Naga said he ultimately wants those responsible for the scandal to go to prison.

"I want justice," he added.

Sir Wyn Williams has said he expects the UK government to provide a written response to his recommendations by 10 October.

He has also said that Fujitsu, the Post Office and the UK government should publish a report by 25 October outlining a programme for restorative justice – a process bringing together people who have caused harm and those affected by it so they can take responsibility and make amends.