Horizon Post Office scandal: Police investigating dozens for perjury and perverting the course of justice | EUROtoday
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Detectives are investigating dozens of employees at Fujitsu and the Post Office for crimes together with perjury and perverting the course of justice over the wrongful prosecutions of sub-postmasters.
A nationwide taskforce made up of 100 officers is finishing up an inquiry that’s “unprecendented” in dimension as they probe greater than 1.5 million paperwork over potential crimes linked to the scandal.
However, in a blow for victims in search of swift justice, trials might not happen till 2027. Final charging choices won’t be made till after the general public inquiry publishes its closing report into issues with the Horizon IT system, police have warned.
It is known officers are taking a look at dozens of individuals of curiosity who have been concerned within the wrongful prosecutions, together with authorized professionals. Three have been interviewed below warning thus far since 2021, with the newest in September, and extra are anticipated to be questioned subsequent yr.
“We’re looking at significant number of individuals across Fujitsu, across the Post Office and the actions of people within the legal profession as well,” detective chief inspector Mick Norman, the senior investigating officer, mentioned.
It is unclear if the individuals of curiosity embody senior executives on the Post Office and Fujitsu at this stage, however police mentioned the actions of “prominent individuals” shall be assessed because the investigation progresses.
The probe is focussed on potential crimes of perjury and perverting the courtroom of justice, which carries a most sentence of life in jail, though police mentioned they’ll go “where the evidence takes us”.
The subject of company legal responsibility is “always in discussion”, they confirmed, though can have the next evidential bar.
Commander Stephen Clayman, who’s main the probe referred to as ‘Op Olympos’, mentioned: “The sub-postmasters and their families are at the heart of this investigation and our goal is to try and secure justice for those affected by this shocking set of events, the impact of which cannot be underestimated.
“The scale of the task ahead is unprecedented and I am confident we have an excellent team in place, with the support of cutting-edge technology to strengthen our search for information and evidence in amongst the 1.5 million-plus documents obtained and which will grow.
“I do know that if you take into account Post Office criminal and private prosecutions, civil claims and contract withdrawals, there are potentially thousands of victims who we are working hard to identify and build our database so that we can ensure we reach as many affected individuals as possible.
“I cannot make promises that this will be a fast process. An investigation of this size must continue to be undertaken meticulously and methodically and will take time.
“However, I speak on behalf of our whole team when I say we will approach it with independence, precision and integrity.”
No resolution shall be remodeled potential legal costs till the general public inquiry into the scandal has printed its closing report, and investigators have “thoroughly reviewed” its contents.
Closing statements shall be heard within the inquiry on 16 and 17 December, however no agency timetable has but been set for its closing report.
More than 900 sub postmasters have been prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after defective Horizon accounting software program made it look as if cash was lacking from their accounts.
Hundreds are nonetheless awaiting compensation regardless of the earlier authorities saying that those that have had convictions quashed are eligible for £600,000 payouts.
The scandal is without doubt one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British authorized historical past.
Christopher Head, who was as soon as Britain’s youngest postmaster earlier than he was wrongly accused of theft on account of points with the Horizon system, believes the victims won’t ever get “true closure” till these accountable are held to account.
In the meantime, he mentioned it’s important that each one obtain monetary redress to allow them to start to rebuild their lives.
“It is vitally important that this happens so people can finally move forward and try to get that closure,” he instructed The Independent, including that victims will relive the scandal day after day till it’s resolved.
Responding to information concerning the size of the legal probe, he continued: “I appreciate that it will take time, but that’s frustrating because, as we saw, the Post Office prosecuted people within weeks and months. But it is important that it is the right people and there is no shortcutting this process.”
Chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Emily Spurrell, mentioned: “The severe and enduring impact on sub-postmasters has become increasingly clear as events have unfolded and the stories have emerged of some of those wrongfully prosecuted and convicted.
“Victims of the Horizon IT scandal exist in every part of the UK, innocent people whose lives have been ruined over a quarter of a century.
“Those who found themselves caught up in this through no fault of their own deserve justice and, as what is likely to be a lengthy police investigation scales up, they are entitled to be fully supported through it.”
She inspired anybody affected to contact their native PCC for assist accessing help providers.
A portal has been arrange the place these with data can ship particulars and paperwork right here.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/post-office-horizon-fujitsu-police-crimes-b2662540.html