For nearly two years, the statutory public inquiry into the Post Office scandal went largely unnoticed until a dramatic ITV production brought it into the public eye in January 2024. Computer Weekly has closely followed the inquiry since its inception in May 2022.
The inquiry, chaired by Wyn Williams, has undergone six phases, each revealing shocking evidence of malpractice within the Post Office. From the procurement and implementation of the Horizon IT system to the practices of lawyers and investigators involved in subpostmaster prosecutions, every phase has shed light on the widest-ever miscarriage of justice in the UK.
Subpostmasters, victims of wrongful accusations and prosecutions, have shared their harrowing stories, while witnesses have exposed the failings of the Horizon system and the Post Office’s legal practices. The inquiry has uncovered a cover-up involving directors, politicians, and civil servants, bringing to light the staggering extent of the scandal.
Key figures implicated in the scandal, from former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells to government ministers and civil servants, have faced tough questions about their roles in the cover-up. Witnesses have detailed how the Post Office prioritized defending the integrity of its IT system over the welfare of subpostmasters, leading to miscarriages of justice and untold suffering.
The inquiry has also revealed the complicity of lawyers, investigators, and PR teams in suppressing evidence, obstructing justice, and perpetuating the cover-up. Former expert IT witnesses like Gareth Jenkins have admitted to misleading courts and regret their involvement in wrongful prosecutions.
Overall, the public inquiry has exposed a web of deceit, corporate malpractice, and institutional failings within the Post Office, as well as the complicity of government officials in allowing the scandal to unfold. As the inquiry continues to unravel the truth, it remains to be seen how justice will be served for the victims of the Post Office scandal.