Fujitsu has agreed to start talks with the UK authorities on contributing to compensation for victims of the Publish Workplace scandal.
Lots of of sub-postmasters have been falsely accused of stealing from their branches between 1999 and 2015.
Fujitsu developed the defective Horizon pc system answerable for faulty shortfalls in accounting which led to wrongful convictions. Additionally they supported the Publish Workplace in its prosecutions.
Greater than a yr in the past, Fujitsu boss Paul Patterson mentioned the corporate had a “ethical obligation” to contribute in direction of redress for victims.
Enterprise secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Mr Patterson as we speak held a “optimistic and constructive” assembly in Japan – the place Fujitsu agreed to start talks on compensation.
The UK authorities “welcomes Fujitsu’s repeated dedication to its ethical obligation to contribute” in direction of compensation for the Horizon scandal victims, a joint assertion mentioned.
Jonathan Reynolds, seen right here on the Publish Workplace Horizon IT inquiry, travelled to Japan for the assembly. Pic: PA
Forward of the completion of the inquiry into the scandal, the pair “agreed to progress discussions concerning Fujitsu’s contribution, acknowledging many events are concerned,” it added.
Officers will “proceed to interact with Fujitsu”, however the UK authorities won’t be making a “working commentary” on discussions, the assertion mentioned.
It additionally mentioned the federal government is “grateful” for Fujitsu’s engagement with the Publish Workplace inquiry “and its continued give attention to delivering its public companies commitments within the UK”.
‘Utter shame’
It comes because the widow of a Post Office scandal sufferer, who acquired a compensation provide days after his dying, described her situation as an “utter disgrace”.
Janet Walters, 68, misplaced her husband Terry in February – every week earlier than a letter arrived providing “lower than half” of his unique declare for monetary redress.
‘Completely disgusted by size of time it is taken’
Terry Walters was one in every of 555 sub-postmasters who gained a authorized battle in opposition to the Publish Workplace in 2019.
Janet described the size of time many victims have needed to anticipate a suggestion of compensation as one other “scandal”.
“I’ve advised them I cannot settle for [the offer],” Janet told Sky News. “I feel it is an utter shame.
“It is a scandal what they did with the Horizon system, it is a scandal now due to the size of time it is taken [on redress].”
Protestors exterior the Publish Workplace Horizon IT inquiry final yr. Pic: PA
Hundreds ready for compensation
New figures present greater than £768m has been now paid to greater than 5,100 victims throughout all redress schemes.
The Division for Enterprise and Commerce mentioned this was a “greater than tripling” of the overall quantity of redress paid since June 2024.
Learn extra:
Sub-postmasters still going through hell, says Alan Bates
Second Post Office IT scandal expands
There are, nevertheless, nonetheless a whole lot ready for compensation within the GLO (Group Litigation Order) scheme, with greater than 200 but to obtain full redress.
There are additionally greater than 4,000 but to be paid within the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), though since final month, over 700 have acquired compensation.
Publish Workplace scandal youngsters search justice
In a separate assertion after the assembly in Japan, Mr Reynolds mentioned: “We should always remember the lives ruined by the Horizon scandal and no quantity of redress can take away that ache. However justice can and should be accomplished.
“This authorities is set to carry these accountable to account and can proceed to make speedy progress on compensation and redress.
“Since we took workplace, now we have greater than tripled the overall quantity of redress paid to victims, and as we speak we took one other vital step in direction of justice.”
