Former subpostmasters are fed up with the slow progress on financial compensation, raising the possibility of drastic measures to seek justice. During a meeting in Kineton, Warwickshire, on November 17, around 150 members of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA) voiced their concerns over the delays.
Sir Alan Bates, chair of the JFSA, pointed out that most attendees still haven’t received their compensation. “People are frustrated,” he stated. This frustration follows the government’s rejection of Bates’ request for a timeline to ensure comprehensive and fair redress.
In an interview, Bates expressed worries that the delays could drag on for years without a clear deadline from the government. He said, “We discussed other options if we didn’t get a deadline for financial redress. We’re considering a special meeting to determine a path forward.”
Earlier communication to JFSA members hinted at potential legal action. Bates confirmed the group’s confidence in gathering necessary funds if it comes to that. “We need guarantees, not excuses. If we face continued delays, we might return to court,” he noted. “The difference now is that we have national support, and we’re confident that crowdfunding will cover our legal needs.”
The JFSA was formed in 2009 after a Computer Weekly investigation revealed issues with the Horizon system. Since then, the group has fought rigorously against one of Britain’s largest miscarriages of justice, securing victory in a multi-million-pound High Court trial, instigating a statutory public inquiry, overturning wrongful convictions, and raising awareness through an ITV dramatization of their story.
Adding to the meeting’s significance, representatives from the Metropolitan Police provided an update on their investigation into potential crimes linked to the Post Office scandal. A police spokesperson mentioned a team of about 100 officers is now engaged, with four suspects already identified—a number expected to increase as the investigation unfolds.
Bates emphasized the seriousness with which the police are treating the matter. He acknowledged that the process could take years, considering the volume of evidence to sift through. “However, the police are committed to following the evidence, no matter where it leads,” he added.
The scandal was first exposed by Computer Weekly in 2009, highlighting the experiences of seven subpostmasters harmed by the Horizon accounting software, leading to one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British history.