The i Paper can reveal that as recently as this month the Post Office was still identifying individuals working in its remediation unit with “past roles” connected to the Horizon scandal which led to more than 900 sub-postmasters being wrongly convicted.
The Government relies on the remediation unit to provide employment details and data in order to then settle compensation.
“It’s frustrating that they don’t recognise the issue.”
Amid the the delays and issues with the remediation unit, Sir Alan Bates has warned that the Government should not lead the compensation scheme and should instead be an independent body.
Steve Marston, centre, and other former sub-postmasters meeting government officials about the Capture scandal (Photo: Tom Pilston/The i Paper)
It comes as the Government is set to open a new compensation scheme for Post Office victims who used Capture, a piece of software rolled out to branches in the 90s, this autumn.
“Unless there’s fresh thinking they are going to finish up [the same],” he told The i Paper.
“I don’t think the Government are the right people [to be in charge].”
The announcement of the Capture compensation scheme follows months of reporting by The i Paper on claims the system was faulty and caused sub-postmasters to experience shortfalls.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is currently reviewing 29 convictions to decide whether they can be put before the Court of Appeal to be overturned.
However, The i Paper understands the Government remains reliant on the Post Office to provide important information about former sub-postmasters such as their employment history and remuneration.
‘They need to learn from their mistakes’
Steve Marston does not want the Post Office to be involved in any capacity in his compensation claim(Photo: Tom Pilston)Steve Marston, 69, was convicted of theft and false accounting offences by the Post Office in 1998 over shortfalls at his branch in Heap Bridge, Greater Manchester.
Mr Marston does not want the Post Office to be involved in any capacity in his compensation claim.
“I think as far as I’m concerned the Post Office should have nothing to do with our claims.
“It needs to be a fresh start. The Post Office can’t be trusted to get it right.”
Government ‘not learning’ from compensation problems
“These problems [delays and battles over payouts] are still happening in the current system,” he said.
The Capture software was rolled out to Post Office branches starting in 1992“What evidence do they [Capture victims] need to have?
“The burden is still there, you’re still having to justify everything and they are still challenging everything.
The Department for Business and Trade has been contacted for comment.
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