Fujitsu’s chief executive for Europe, Paul Patterson, has made it clear that the ongoing inquiry into the Post Office scandal shows it’s misleading to blame software errors alone for the fallout from the Horizon system.
Patterson revealed that there’s a standstill agreement between Fujitsu and the Post Office. This means both parties have decided to hold off on any legal actions against each other for now. His recent testimony was notably sharper compared to his earlier appearances. Back in January, he expressed deep remorse and pledged that Fujitsu would do its part to help address the scandal’s impact, which could cost taxpayers over £1.8 billion in compensation for victims.
This time around, he reiterated Fujitsu’s role in the wrongful prosecutions of innocent subpostmasters. He indicated that the company expects to participate in redressing the situation through talks with the government about how their contribution would play out.
Patterson shared that the inquiry has provided a wealth of information, shaping Fujitsu’s understanding of the situation. He said, “I’ve listened to evidence for the past seven months…and the idea this is merely a software glitch is simply wrong. This is a complicated issue that spans decades.” He further stressed that Fujitsu needs to sit down with the government to discuss its financial involvement.
When pressed by barrister Sam Stein, representing some former subpostmasters, Patterson denied that Fujitsu’s willingness to contribute to compensation was a tactic to thwart legal action from the Post Office.
He faced tough questions regarding a YouGov survey that revealed many current subpostmasters are still encountering problems with the Horizon system. The survey found 57% had experienced unexplained shortfalls, with 92% reporting issues with the system in the past year. Common concerns included screen freezes and connectivity problems. Alarmingly, three-quarters of respondents admitted to using their own money to cover discrepancies, and nearly half expressed dissatisfaction with how these issues were handled.
Patterson acknowledged there are indeed bugs in the Horizon software but cautioned against oversimplifying the issues by blaming the application alone. He pointed out that the term “Horizon” encompasses more than just the software itself—it’s intertwined with the entire supply chain of the Post Office. He noted that connectivity issues and problems with pin pads might lie outside the Horizon system’s control.
The inquiry, now in its final phase, is examining the current practices of the Post Office and making recommendations for the future. The whole saga began when Computer Weekly first reported on the scandal in 2009, uncovering the experiences of subpostmasters caught in a web of mismanagement related to the Horizon software.