Alan Bates: Former sub-postmaster tipped for Freedom of Liverpool
- Published
Alan Bates should be recognised for his "resilient campaigning", Liverpool MP Ian Byrne says
Alan Bates, who led the campaign to expose the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, has been nominated to be given the freedom of the city of Liverpool.
Mr Bates, who now lives in Llandudno in North Wales, was born in Liverpool.
Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, Ian Byrne, has tabled a motion calling for the former sub-postmaster to be given the honour in recognition of his "resilient and determined campaigning".
It is described as "the highest civil award in the city".
Among those who have previously been given the honour are the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Screenwriter Jimmy McGovern was recognised in 2021, and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was awarded it in 2022.
Mr Byrne's early day motion submitted to Parliament, supported by a group of MPs, stated the honour of freedom of the city of Liverpool "has previously been awarded to those who have left an indelible mark on the people of Liverpool, including the 97 Hillsborough victims".
He said that Mr Bates' "resilient and determined campaigning against injustice lies in the heart and DNA of this city's daughters and sons".
The motion commended Mr Bates for playing a "vital role in bringing the Post Office Horizon scandal to light".
Mr Byrne is understood to have made a nomination to the city council asking it to confer the honour on Mr Bates.
Alan Bates was the lead claimant in the case against the Post Office, with the first judgement handed down in 2019
The Horizon IT scandal has been described as one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British history.
More than 900 sub-postmasters and postmistresses were prosecuted for stealing money because of incorrect information provided by a faulty computer accounting system.
Mr Bates founded the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance and he and five others took the Post Office to the High Court.
He continues to campaign for all sub-postmasters affected and for a government compensation scheme.
The scandal was the subject of ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, with Toby Jones playing Alan Bates.
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