In 2010, the relationship between the Post Office and IT supplier Fujitsu was described as “tense” during the roll-out of the online version of the Horizon computer system. This mirrored the strained relations between the two organizations when the original Horizon system was introduced in 2000. Despite ongoing tensions, the companies cooperated to protect their brands in the face of challenges regarding the system’s integrity, deepening the Post Office Horizon scandal.
During a recent public inquiry hearing, former Fujitsu UK boss Duncan Tait revealed that in 2010, during the pilot roll-out of Horizon Online, subpostmasters encountered serious problems leading to duplicated transactions and outages. The Post Office refused to continue the pilot until these issues were resolved, causing further strain on the already tense relationship.
The history of tension between the two companies dates back to the late 1990s when the original Horizon project was first initiated. Live trials in 1999 raised concerns among subpostmasters, and tensions escalated to the point of diplomatic repercussions being considered. Despite the Post Office’s decision to end its contract with Fujitsu and develop an in-house system, the project has faced delays and increased costs.
Despite their strained relationship, the Post Office and Fujitsu collaborated in misleading stakeholders about the reliability of the Horizon system, leading to innocent subpostmasters being wrongly prosecuted for financial crimes. In a recent Parliamentary hearing, Fujitsu’s UK boss apologized for the company’s role in the scandal and acknowledged their moral obligation to contribute to the costs faced by UK taxpayers.
The public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal continues, bringing to light one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history.