Valerie Tables Written Questions on Horizon Scandal

I tabled three Written Parliamentary Questions regarding the Horizon scandal, which resulted in 736 members of staff at the Post Office being prosecuted over 14 years for alleged crimes which were in fact attributable to the newly installed computer system, Horizon. My Questions were:

1) To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Post Office Horizon scandal, if the Government will take steps to commence directors disqualification proceedings under the Directors Disqualification Act against those directors in post at the Post Office during that scandal.

2) To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he is taking steps for (a) breach of contract and (b) enforcing appropriate financial remedies against Fujitsu for supplying faulty computer software in the Horizon Programme.

3) To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to recover bonuses paid to company directors during the Post Office Horizon scandal.

On Monday 25 April 2022 the Minister responded to say that accountability in relation to the Post Office and Fujitsu can only be considered when the Inquiry chaired by Sir Wyn Williams is concluded. I appreciate that the Minister is unable to respond in full until this happens. However, former Post Office Staff have faced profound hardship as a result of this scandal, including constituents in Walsall South.

I can ask further questions upon the conclusion of Sir Wyn’s inquiry.