Government considers fast track appeals for wrongly convicted Post Office branch managers

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The authorities is inspecting methods to hurry up the appeals course of for wrongly convicted Post Office branch managers after what has been described as one of many worst miscarriages of justice lately.

Moves might embrace exonerating all these concerned or eradicating the Post Office’s skill to research or prosecute, Rishi Sunak has confirmed.

The prime minster advised the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that minister ought to take a look at “every which way we can” to assist these embroiled within the scandal.

MPs are anticipated to sort out ministers over the difficulty when parliament re-opens after the Christmas holidays on Monday.

There has been widespread public outcry after ITV aired a drama on the scandal, Mr Bates Vs The Post Office starring actor Toby Jones.

Asked if there may very well be exonerations or the federal government might take away the Post Office‘s skill to research and prosecute, Mr Sunak stated: “The Justice Secretary is looking at the things that you’ve described, it wouldn’t be right to pre-empt that process, obviously there’s legal complexity in all of those things but he is looking at exactly those areas.”

He added: “Everyone has been shocked by watching what they have done over the past few days and beyond and it is an appalling miscarriage of justice.

“Obviously it’s something that happened in the ‘90s but actually seeing it and hearing about it again just shows what an appalling miscarriages of justice it is for everyone affected and it’s important that those people now get the justice they deserve, and that’s what the compensation schemes are about.

“The Government has paid out about £150 million to thousands of people already. Of course we want to get the money to the people as quickly as possible, that’s why there are interim payments of up to, I think, £600,000 that can be made.. There are three different schemes available and for anyone affected they should come forward.”

Former Tory minister John Redwood stated: “The Post Office scandal shows the dangers of a nationalised industry having special powers to abuse and prosecute its staff.”

Hundreds of individuals have been convicted based mostly on the pc faults and plenty of are but to have their convictions quashed.

Police are investigating “potential fraud offences” dedicated through the Horizon IT scandal.

The Fujitsu accounting software program made it seem as if cash was lacking from shops and branch managers have been compelled to pay again 1000’s.

Scotland Yard stated on Friday night time that officers have been “investigating potential fraud offences arising out of these prosecutions”, for instance “monies recovered from sub-postmasters as a result of prosecutions or civil actions”.

The police had already been trying into potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Kevan Jones, the Labour MP for North Durham, who sits on the Horizon compensation advisory board, advised the Sunday Times: “It is quite clear from the evidence presented to the public inquiry and in court, that the victims of this scandal should have their convictions quashed and their good names restored.”

His constituent, Tom Brown, a former sub-postmaster in Newcastle upon Tyne, was wrongly accused of stealing £85,000 in 2008. He misplaced his residence and was made bankrupt.