Seven Main Suspects Identified in Post Office Horizon Scandal Investigation

The police criminal inquiry into the Post Office Horizon IT scandal is investigating more than 45 individuals, with seven formally identified as main suspects. The investigation, described as unprecedented in size and scale, is examining potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice by those who made key decisions on Post Office investigations and supporting prosecutions of branch-owner operators. The police have not disclosed the names of the suspects, but four have been interviewed, and the number of suspects is expected to increase.

Between 1999 and 2015, over 900 post office operators were prosecuted due to faulty Horizon accounting software that falsely indicated fraud. This scandal, considered the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history, gained national attention through the ITV drama 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office.' Legislation was introduced in March 2024 to exonerate wrongly prosecuted individuals.

Compensation exceeding £1 billion has been paid to more than 7,300 claimants through redress schemes. A second phase of the police inquiry is investigating wider offences involving decision-makers at the Post Office and Fujitsu, the software developer. The number of documents reviewed has increased from 1.5 million to 6 million since December.

Stephen Clayman, the Metropolitan police commander overseeing the investigation, stated that the team's contact with affected individuals continues to grow. The police anticipate further suspect identifications and interviews as the investigation progresses. Prosecutions are not expected until 2027, pending the outcome of Sir Wyn Williams' public inquiry into the scandal.

The investigation will assess the actions of executives, investigators, managers, legal teams, and board oversight. The police clarified that they are not reinvestigating wrongful prosecutions but focusing on offences against the Post Office. Clayman emphasized the personal commitment to securing justice for those impacted by the scandal.

According to the source: The Guardian.