A campaign group formed by the children of subpostmasters impacted by the Post Office scandal is still awaiting Fujitsu’s fulfillment of commitments made nine months ago.
The group feels that Fujitsu is merely engaging in a “box-ticking exercise” as it attempts to rehabilitate its image in light of its involvement in the UK’s largest miscarriage of justice. Known as the Lost Chances for Subpostmasters’ Children, this organization consists of around 160 members who are the children of those affected by the scandal. It was established following ITV’s dramatization of the events surrounding the scandal and emphasizes the suffering endured by the families due to the actions of the Post Office and Fujitsu.
The Post Office held subpostmasters accountable for unexplained financial losses, leading to the wrongful conviction of hundreds based on flawed evidence from Fujitsu’s Horizon software. This software provided misleading witness statements that resulted in innocent individuals being imprisoned and financially devastated.
Fujitsu quickly acknowledged its responsibility and publicly expressed remorse, stating it felt “morally obligated” to assist subpostmasters and their families beyond just financial restitution, which it also promised to contribute to.
During a public inquiry hearing in January, Paul Patterson, Fujitsu’s European CEO, was questioned by KC Sam Stein, a representative for the victims, about additional support for the impacted families. Patterson indicated a willingness to explore options for future assistance, such as supporting entrepreneurial initiatives or educational opportunities.
In March, the Lost Chances group was established to hold Patterson accountable for his commitments. Although it has now grown to 160 members, Fujitsu has only offered counseling services without any substantial follow-up.
Rebekah Foot, the group’s chair, shared that her family’s life was profoundly affected when her mother, one of the youngest subpostmasters, faced significant difficulties due to unexplained losses starting in 2006, ultimately leading to her bankruptcy in 2014. Foot described her family’s struggles since then.
Despite making high-profile pledges in the wake of the scandal, such as voluntarily refraining from bidding on public sector projects, doubts have arisen regarding Fujitsu’s sincerity. Research from Computer Weekly revealed that the company was, in fact, pursuing £1.3 billion in government contracts while advising employees on how to navigate its self-imposed restrictions.
Trust in Fujitsu has eroded, with some employees expressing dissatisfaction over the company’s dealings with affected subpostmasters and their families. One staffer voiced concerns about the corporation’s priorities, stating it focuses solely on shareholder interests rather than on subpostmasters, employees, or customers.
Campaigners are perplexed by Fujitsu’s delay in providing support, knowing its culpability. One stated, “Fujitsu understands the context and the legitimate needs of these children, and it recognizes they lack a platform for redress.”
In August, members of Lost Chances met with Patterson, who expressed empathy for their stories but failed to provide any concrete plans for support. Foot remarked, “It feels like a mere formality. It took seven months just to arrange a meeting. When we directly asked Paterson about how he would rectify the situation, we were promised an update within two weeks, but six weeks have passed, and we’ve received nothing.”
Foot subsequently wrote to Patterson seeking answers for the lack of response weeks after their meeting. In his reply, Patterson acknowledged the bravery of those who shared their experiences and noted the complexity of the issues raised, stating that they needed more time to consider the proposals presented and would await further developments from the Post Office and government before responding meaningfully.
Neil Hudgell, a pro bono lawyer working with the group, expressed concern that the situation feels increasingly like a public relations ploy, delaying necessary actions. “It’s unclear what additional information Fujitsu needs when the repercussions of the scandal have been evident, especially given Patterson’s acknowledgment of a ‘moral obligation’ in January. What better way to rectify the past than by supporting the children of the subpostmasters whose childhoods were overshadowed by this tragedy?”
The UK government is also awaiting Fujitsu’s assistance in covering costs related to the Post Office Horizon scandal, with taxpayers anticipated to bear billions in financial redress for the victims.
Fujitsu was approached for comment but declined to respond.
The Post Office scandal, originally uncovered by Computer Weekly in 2009, unveiled the harrowing experiences of seven subpostmasters whose lives were disrupted by the Horizon accounting software, resulting in one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British history.
– Additional reading: Learn more about the Horizon scandal.
– Watch: ITV’s documentary – Mr. Bates vs The Post Office: The real story.
– Analysis: The implications of Post Office and Fujitsu’s actions on taxpayers.