As the long-awaited Post Office inquiry enters its final stage, hopes for meaningful reform and swift compensation for wronged branch operators are fading fast. Despite over 1,000 days of hearings and damning testimony exposing deep-rooted issues, the organization appears resistant to change, leaving many wondering if justice will ever be served.
A Culture of Suspicion Persists
One of the most troubling revelations to emerge from the inquiry’s closing phase is the persistence of a toxic culture within the Post Office. Former chair Henry Staunton claimed that many executives still view branch operators as “crooks” who are “guilty until proven innocent,” despite the high court judgments that exonerated hundreds of wrongfully prosecuted individuals.
This deep-seated suspicion has reportedly led to the marginalization of operator representatives on the Post Office board. Saf Ismail and Elliott Jacobs, appointed to improve relations and oversight, testified that they were excluded from meetings and subjected to internal investigations, with Ismail’s case still ongoing.
The investigation into shortfalls at branches owned by Jacobs, which found no wrongdoing, were heavy-handed.
– Post Office CEO Nick Read
Concerns Over “Untouchable” Employees
The inquiry also heard disturbing claims about the continued employment of Post Office staff linked to the Horizon IT scandal, particularly those in roles dealing directly with branch operators. While CEO Nick Read denied the existence of “untouchables” immune to disciplinary action, several witnesses raised concerns about a lack of accountability.
Compensation Delays and Bureaucracy
The Post Office’s commitment to providing “full and fair compensation” to those affected by the Horizon scandal has come under intense scrutiny. To date, approximately £363m has been paid to over 2,900 claimants across four schemes. However, postal minister Gareth Thomas admitted that not all operators will receive payouts by the March 2025 deadline called for by campaigner Alan Bates.
Former chair Staunton described the Post Office’s approach to compensation as bureaucratic, unsympathetic, and primarily focused on minimizing taxpayer costs. The inquiry revealed that it took a national frenzy sparked by an ITV drama to compel the Treasury to release funds to expedite the process.
I am willing to launch legal action again if the compensation process is not resolved more quickly.
– Alan Bates, Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance
Outdated IT System Lingers
The inquiry also delved into the Post Office’s ongoing reliance on the problematic Horizon IT system. Despite plans to replace it, the new system remains plagued by bugs and ballooning costs. As a result, the Post Office has been forced to extend its contentious contract with Fujitsu, with the two companies likely to continue working together until 2030.
An Uncertain Future
As the inquiry chair, Sir Wyn Williams, and his team prepare to distill a prodigious amount of evidence into a final report, the Post Office’s future hangs in the balance. With the findings expected to be published in 2025, many fear that the wait for justice will continue to exact a heavy toll on those most profoundly impacted by the scandal.
The inquiry’s impending conclusion leaves more questions than answers. Will the Post Office embrace the sweeping reforms needed to rebuild trust and ensure accountability? Will those wrongfully convicted finally receive the compensation they deserve? As hopes for meaningful change dwindle, the need for swift and decisive action grows ever more urgent.
