Victims of the Horizon Post Office scandal may have the opportunity for face-to-face meetings with representatives from Fujitsu and the Post Office as part of a restorative justice initiative. This effort is overseen by a charity and will begin with a pilot phase lasting five months, with hopes for a continuation over five years that includes additional projects, such as a commemorative postage stamp.
The Horizon IT scandal involved hundreds of sub-postmasters who were wrongly accused of embezzling funds due to faulty software that inaccurately indicated missing money from their accounts. More than 900 individuals were falsely prosecuted on the basis of this incorrect data. The restorative justice process aims to bring together victims and those responsible to address the harm caused by these injustices.
The initial meetings are anticipated to occur as early as December, and may include officials from the Department for Business and Trade. Participation in the process is voluntary, allowing victims to request discussions with certain individuals, such as former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells, although there is no obligation for these individuals to engage.
Previous restorative meetings have already occurred between sub-postmasters and former Post Office chief executive Nick Read, but this will be the first time Fujitsu will engage with the affected individuals. Representatives from Fujitsu have previously met with Lost Chances, an advocacy group for the children of the affected sub-postmasters.
The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) designed the program with a goal of rebuilding trust among sub-postmasters and their families, highlighting the importance of creating a compassionate environment for sharing experiences and beginning the healing process.
The initial phase, running until March, includes a support service staffed by restorative justice practitioners and is funded by the government, the state-owned Post Office, and Fujitsu. A more comprehensive program is expected to be launched in April 2026, alongside the potential for a commemorative stamp to raise funds for associated initiatives.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze6w4e8kxeo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss