Fujitsu’s European head, Paul Patterson, faces tough questions at the upcoming Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. His company has come under fire for not following through on commitments made ten months ago to victims of the scandal.
Patterson, appearing for the second time on November 11, must explain why Fujitsu hasn’t supported those affected by the Horizon scandal or contributed to financial commitments to the government. In January, after a public uproar, he promised to engage with victims’ families and support subpostmasters in the future. Yet, since then, little has happened.
Katie Downey, daughter of a former subpostmaster caught in the scandal, co-founded the Lost Chances for Subpostmaster Children (LCSC) campaign group after Patterson’s promises. Six months later, they feel ignored. “When we met with him, it was emotionally draining, and we thought our concerns were heard. We expected action,” Downey said. Instead, no support materialized.
Lawyer Neil Hudgell, representing LCSC members, voiced frustration. “It’s time for Fujitsu to meet its promises. There’s nothing new they could learn now that they haven’t already.”
Victims like Vipin Patel, who was wrongfully prosecuted, also feel that Fujitsu should bear some responsibility. His son, Varchas, expressed anger over the situation, saying, “Fujitsu seems to be getting away with it. They should help the families affected.”
Fujitsu’s potential share of the scandal’s financial burden is also in question as the UK government allocates £1.8 billion for victim compensation. Patterson claimed in January that Fujitsu had a moral obligation to contribute but provided no specifics on how much they would pay.
Recently, the company received a £200 million financial boost from its headquarters in Japan, raising eyebrows about whether they’re prioritizing shareholders over victims. An anonymous employee stated, “Their priority is Fujitsu’s shareholders, not the subpostmasters or their families.”
His earlier promise to halt public sector bids while the inquiry proceeds also appears hollow. Internal communications leaked in March indicated that Fujitsu was still pursuing about £1.3 billion in UK government contracts.
As Patterson prepares for his inquiry appearance, the lingering feelings of betrayal among victims deepen. They await real answers and genuine commitments from Fujitsu, rather than empty promises.