Humza Yousaf backs Post Office scandal mass exonerations

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.

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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".

UK ministers met on Monday to consider ways of clearing the names of hundreds of sub-postmasters.

Myra Philp's late mother, Mary, was among those accused of wrongdoing while she worked at the post office in Auchtermuchty in Fife in 2001.

And Ms Philp admitted the ITV drama on the scandal reduced her to tears.

Myra Philp's late mother, Mary, was among those accused of wrongdoing

She told BBC Scotland News: "I think the people who were not convicted were put in a virtual jail cell for the rest of their days.

"If you think about it they were not even given their day in court to even try and defend themselves."

Myra's mother died in 2018, at the age of 83, before the first court case was won by the sub-postmasters.

Ms Philp criticised the appeal process, especially the fact victims had to apply "to the aggressor", and said there had never been a proper apology.

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, it was horrendous."

Mr Dawson also told the programme he felt as if he was "one person up against the establishment".

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A UK-wide public inquiry into the scandal is ongoing and gathered evidence in Glasgow in 2022.

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".