Alan Bates, the leader of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, is advocating for criminal prosecutions against individuals involved in the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, as he prepares to provide evidence at the public inquiry. Bates, who has championed the cause of affected branch managers for 16 years, has emphasised the importance of accountability and the potential recovery of unjustly awarded bonuses. The scandal, one of the largest miscarriages of justice in UK history, spanned between 1999 and 2015, leading to the wrongful conviction of over 100 subpostmasters on charges of fraud and theft due to errors in the Horizon system.

Bates, a former subpostmaster himself, has highlighted the significant flaws in the Horizon system and the devastating impact it had on those falsely accused. The public inquiry, now at a critical phase, will also examine the role of key figures such as former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells. Another dimension of the inquiry’s findings includes the late disclosure of over 73,000 documents by the Post Office, which has been criticised for undermining the inquiry’s process.

As Bates gives his testimony, unraveling the complexities behind the system glitches and the unjust accusations against subpostmasters, there is a growing call for compensation and accountability. The inquiry into governance and redress for the victims continues to highlight the extensive nature of the injustice and the need for redress for those affected.