Today Conservative govt. are introducing landmark legislation to quash hundreds of wrongful convictions relating to the Horizon Scandal, helping innocent postmasters to clear their names and build a brighter future.
Whilst we have paid £179 million in compensation to around 2,800 victims of the Horizon Scandal, we must go further to deliver justice for sub-postmasters who have had their lives callously torn apart.
That is why the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill will quash convictions brought about by erroneous Horizon evidence.
Affected sub-postmasters will receive an interim payment with the option of an immediate, final payment of £600,000 and a redress payment of £75,000 will be extended for postmasters who were not convicted but suffered as a result of the scandal.
Nothing can make up for what wrongfully convicted sub-postmasters been through, but today’s legislation marks an important step forward in finally clearing their names and helping them rebuild their lives.
As a former postie myself, I am so glad justice is finally being given to those affected.
