Alan Bates requires subpostmaster claims to be settled by March | EUROtoday

The former subpostmaster and campaigner Sir Alan Bates is looking on the federal government to set a deadline of subsequent March to pay redress to the a whole bunch of victims who helped to uncover the Horizon IT scandal.

In a message addressed to different subpostmasters concerned within the Group Litigation Order (GLO), Sir Alan raises issues that some older individuals are settling claims sooner “just to get it all over with”.

He questions whether or not the federal government is dragging the “issue out to exhaust victims until their deaths” and if the scheme has turn out to be a “gravy train” for its legal professionals.

A authorities spokesperson mentioned ministers would proceed to satisfy with these affected “to get swift and fair redress paid”.

Between 1999 and 2015, greater than 900 subpostmasters had been wrongly prosecuted after defective software program known as Horizon indicated that cash was lacking from Post Office department accounts.

Sir Alan leads the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, campaigning for monetary redress for the 555 victims who took half within the landmark group authorized motion towards the Post Office.

Their compensation was, nonetheless, swallowed up by the massive authorized prices concerned in bringing their case.

The authorities went on to arrange a particular compensation fund to provide these subpostmasters the identical as others affected, however progress has been described as gradual.

Of the a whole bunch of members of the GLO group, 63 had prison convictions and subsequently aren’t eligible for this scheme however they’re eligible for different compensation – relying on how their convictions are being overturned.

According to the most recent authorities figures201 of the eligible 492 subpostmasters within the GLO scheme have acquired their funds in full.

More than 250 gives have been made via the scheme, whereas individuals can problem them and selections could also be reviewed by an unbiased panel.

But in his newest publication to the GLO group, Sir Alan mentioned the Department for Business gave the impression to be making an attempt to get away with paying out as little as attainable to victims whereas maximising the earnings for the authorized companies concerned.

He additionally suggests it employs “flim-flam artists” who had been dragging the method out and burying the scheme in paperwork, whereas dismissing solutions on easy methods to velocity issues up.

He estimates that some £500m has been spent to date on authorized charges related to the scandal, and describes it as one thing the Public Accounts Committee “should be investigating as a matter of urgency”.

To drive issues ahead, Sir Alan says it’s time for a assured dedication for all claims to be paid out by March 2025 – three years after this explicit compensation scheme was introduced.

“We need to get the message out that a March 2025 deadline has to be set,” he wrote.

Imposing a deadline for funds has been dominated out prior to now, for concern that some subpostmasters is likely to be timed out of claiming compensation.

Sir Alan additionally mentioned that he could be ready to return to courtroom if “excuses” had been made and that he could be assembly with new regulation companies to debate the matter within the coming weeks.

A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade mentioned: “It isn’t acceptable that subpostmasters feel they aren’t being listened to or have their claims drawn out.

“Our ministers will proceed to satisfy with these affected and work with them to get swift and truthful redress paid.”

They said that since July the government has taken “swift motion” in launching the new Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme and announcing a new appeals process in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme in order to speed up payments further.

They added that the department is making 90% of initial offers within 40 days of receiving completed claims, and encourages other subpostmasters to come forward “as quickly as attainable to say again what they’re owed”.

The Horizon IT scandal captured the wider public’s imagination after the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office was broadcast earlier this year.

It garnered a huge response and saw a new law quashing the wrongful convictions of hundreds of subpostmasters introduced in May.

Last Thursday, however, former subpostmistress Jo Hamilton also criticised the government for a lack of action on the scandal as she collected a National Television Award surrounded by fellow victims, saying: “I went to Westminster a few weeks again and noticed the brand new minister and belief me, nothing has modified.”

In response to her comments, ministers said they were working “tirelessly” on the compensation schemes for those affected.

The prime minister also said the government would compensate the victims of the Post Office scandal “just as quickly as we can”.

Asked about Ms Hamilton’s remarks, Sir Keir Starmer said he would “stick by” his dedication to pay the victims’ compensation.