Fujitsu ‘not a parasite’ for profiting after Horizon scandal, says boss | EUROtoday

Fujitsu is “not a parasite” for persevering with to revenue from authorities contracts within the wake of the Post Office Horizon scandal, its boss instructed MPs.

European chief govt Paul Patterson stated Fujitsu had been given £500m of contract extensions regardless of its defective software program being on the centre of the large miscarriage of justice.

“We are not a parasite, the government has got an option as to whether they wish to extend those contracts or not,” he stated, including it might not bid for brand spanking new enterprise.

Patterson additionally repeatedly refused to say how a lot Fujitsu would contribute to the £1.8bn redress scheme for victims of the scandal, presently funded by taxpayers.

More than 900 sub-postmasters have been prosecuted after the defective Horizon laptop system made it seem like cash was lacking from their department accounts.

Hundreds of others poured their very own financial savings into their department to make up obvious shortfalls with a view to keep away from prosecution.

It is extensively thought-about one of many worst miscarriages of justice in British historical past.

Patterson was answering questions from the Business and Trade Select Committee two years after telling the identical group of MPs Fujitsu had a “moral obligation” to contribute to compensation for these affected by the scandal.

Arriving to listen to the proof, former sub-postmaster and distinguished campaigner for justice Jo Hamilton stated she wished Fujitsu to “just pay.”

“Taxpayers have lost a lot of money over this,” she stated. “They should give a chunk of their earnings back to them, to put in the pot, to help pay everybody,” she added.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has put aside £1.8bn of taxpayers’ cash to compensate victims of the scandal, £1.4bn of which has been paid out, with Fujitsu having promised to contribute in direction of the fund.

But, regardless of repeated questioning from MPs on Tuesday, Patterson refused to say how a lot Fujitsu would pay.

He stated the agency was ready for the ultimate report of the official Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, led by decide Sir Wyn Williams.

“Our commitment is 100%. We will make a contribution to redress, to the government, when we’ve seen the report,” he instructed MPs.

The committee’s chair, Labour MP Liam Byrne, stated he “just can’t believe the company has changed”.

He cited the agency’s position within the scandal and its ongoing work for the British authorities.

And he stated: “Your refusal to tell us how much Fujitsu will pay into a £1.8bn bill for taxpayers leads people to the conclusion that, frankly, Fujitsu is behaving like a parasite on the British state.”

Patterson stated: “We’re not a parasite. The government has got an option as to whether to extend those contracts or not. If you wish us to walk away from those contracts, we’ll walk away from those contracts.”

He burdened Fujitsu’s “proud” 40-year historical past of funding within the UK, highlighting its 5,000 workers and the lots of of sub-contractors it makes use of within the nation.

He was questioned about why Fujitsu, which is a publicly listed firm in Japan, had not made a provision in its personal accounts for a possible future payout.

Patterson stated the agency’s auditors had suggested him it was not essential till the precise determine was recognized.

Fujitsu has stated it won’t bid for UK public contracts till Sir Wyn’s inquiry into the scandal has ended.

But as not too long ago as November, the Post Office agreed to increase a deal to make use of its controversial Horizon system for an additional 12 months.

Patterson stated the agency had prolonged its contract with the Post Office on the authorities’s request.