Years before the controversial Horizon system came into play in 1999, subpostmasters using a Post Office system called Capture were facing mysterious account shortfalls. Many of those who lived through it never realized these losses might stem from software glitches. Some ended up wrongfully convicted of financial crimes while others faced financial devastation.
This year, an ITV drama about the Post Office Horizon scandal shocked the public, sparking memories for former Capture users who saw their own struggles reflected in the story. Kevan Jones, a long-time campaigner and MP for North Durham, stepped in to push for justice, resulting in a new campaign for those affected by Capture.
Thanks to nearly 20 years of perseverance from former Horizon users, led by Sir Alan Bates, this new initiative gained momentum quickly. Here are ten key moments from the unfolding Capture campaign in 2024.
After the ITV dramatization, Kevan Jones began seeking answers about why subpostmasters were held responsible for the financial shortfalls linked to the Capture software.
Rupert Lloyd Thomas, a former IT expert at the Post Office, pointed out that if Unisys distributed hundreds of PCs with Capture installed back in 1995, the software might have had a far wider impact than anyone expected.
Two former subpostmasters, whose lives were shattered by unexplained Capture losses, secured meetings with a government minister and a senior civil servant at the Department for Business and Trade.
One campaigner declared his refusal to collaborate with the Post Office, citing broken trust. “There are people associated with the Post Office still employed there, and I can’t work with them. They’re untrustworthy,” he stated.
The government enlisted specialists from Kroll to investigate whether the Capture software might have contributed to wrongful prosecutions of subpostmasters.
More former subpostmasters began to share their frustration, revealing they had received no training on how to navigate the Capture system.
Records regarding Post Office prosecutions highlighted troubling similarities between the treatment of Horizon and Capture users who faced unexplained losses.
Forensic investigations indicated that the Capture system likely caused accounting discrepancies for which users were unjustly blamed, and in some cases, prosecuted.
The Horizon Compensation Advisory Board urged the secretary of state for justice to take action to reverse the convictions of subpostmasters affected by the unreliable Capture system.
The Criminal Convictions Review Commission (CCRC) is reviewing cases that may involve wrongful convictions related to the Post Office’s Capture software and is likely to uncover more instances.
Also read part 1: Post Office scandal in 2024: A year in the mainstream.