Feb 18, 2024
Post Office not asked to stall payouts, says government
The government says it "Utterly refutes" claims by the Post Office's former chairman that he was told to delay compensation payments to victims in the Horizon scandal. In his interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Staunton said shortly after joining the Post Office he was told by a senior civil servant to slow down the rate of compensation payments, apparently to help the government's finances. A government spokesman denied the allegations, adding: "The government has sped up compensation to victims, and consistently encouraged postmasters to come forward with their claims. To suggest any actions or conversations happened to the contrary is incorrect."In fact, upon appointment, Mr Staunton was set concrete objectives, in writing, to focus on reaching settlements with claimants - clear evidence of the government's intent. Mr Saunders told the Sunday Times that Post Office chief executive Nick Read had written to the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk with legal opinion from the Post Office's solicitors, Peters & Peters, that in more than 300 cases convictions were supported by evidence not related to the Horizon software. A spokesperson for Post Office said: "Post Office is very aware of the terrible impact from this appalling scandal and miscarriage of justice.
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