Humza Yousaf backs Post Office scandal mass exonerations
- Published
First Minister Humza Yousaf has backed calls for the mass exoneration of victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal.
More than 700 sub-postmasters were accused of wrongdoing based on information from a faulty computer system.
The charges included false accounting, theft and fraud.
Some of those convicted were jailed, while others lost their livelihoods and reputations. Others have since died.
The scandal took place between 1999 and 2015. Although it has been public knowledge for years with an inquiry ongoing, the recent ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office has thrust the issue back into the spotlight.
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) wrote to 73 potential victims in Scotland in 2020 but only 16 have come forward to have their convictions quashed.
Six people were then given permission by the SCCRC to appeal Horizon convictions in court but only two have been overturned so far. The other four are still awaiting an outcome.
The first minister was asked about potential legal moves after the Conservative MP Sir David Davis said there was no reason why a "mass appeal" could not take place.
Mr Yousaf said: "It should not have taken a television drama to get the government to take action.
"The Scottish National Party has been asking for action in relation to Horizon and the injustices done to postmasters and sub-postmasters for many years.
"I think the idea of almost a mass exoneration is one that is very worthy of consideration."
Sir Ed Davey has been criticised for his actions as postal affairs minister
The first minister also said there were "serious questions" for those involved, especially Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who was postal affairs minister in the coalition government.
Sir Ed has said he was "deeply misled by Post Office executives".
'Hell on earth'
UK ministers met on Monday to consider ways of clearing the names of hundreds of sub-postmasters.
One former Perth and Kinross postmaster, who was wrongly accused of stealing £17,500 during the Horizon scandal, said he was put through "hell on earth".
Chris Dawson lost his home and three businesses in Pitlochry and Kinloch Rannoch.
Former postmaster Chris Dawson gave evidence when the UK inquiry came to Glasgow in 2022
Mr Dawson told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that he refused to accept a plea deal after being interviewed under caution over the missing money.
Asked what the last 14 years had been like for him, he said: "Absolute hell on earth.
"I lost all three businesses. I lost my house. My marriage collapsed. I suffered mental health issues.
"The upset to my wife and to my two daughters, who were then only eight and 11, was horrendous."
Mr Dawson also told the programme he felt as if he was "one person up against the establishment".
Speaking in the House of Commons, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross described the matter as "an appalling scandal".
Mr Ross called for collaboration between the UK government and the Scottish government regarding those affected in Scotland.
People whose Horizon convictions are overturned are entitled to apply for £600,000 compensation.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the Post Office over potential fraud offences arising from prosecutions in England.
Police Scotland said it was not currently investigating but "is liaising with other UK law enforcement partners and any information received will be assessed."
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would "strongly support" the honours committee if it chose to look into revoking the CBE of former Post Office boss Paula Vennells.
She was honoured in 2019 for "services to the Post Office and to charity".
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