Former MP and Conservative peer James Arbuthnot revealed allegations of deception regarding the Post Office’s Horizon computer system during a public inquiry into the scandal. Arbuthnot, who advocated for affected post office operators since 2009, testified that concerns about the system’s reliability were dismissed by Post Office executives, including then-CEO Paula Vennells. Vennells had assured MPs in 2012 that the Post Office had not lost any legal cases involving the system, a claim later proven false.

The scandal has led to over 900 wrongful convictions of post office operators, with 103 already overturned. The inquiry, ongoing since 2022, aims to address the miscarriage of justice perceived to stem from faulty IT evidence.

In a related case, Ravinder Naga has appealed against his conviction for stealing £35,000 from a Post Office where his mother worked, citing the faulty Horizon system. Despite prior convictions, the Post Office did not oppose his appeal, and a procedural hearing is scheduled for April 24.

Vennells faces scrutiny for previously suggesting sub-postmasters might have been tempted to steal due to the presence of cash. She is expected to testify following criticisms of her dismissal of complaints about Horizon. She has also returned her CBE amid the controversies.

Sir Anthony Hooper, chairman of a mediation scheme for affected subpostmasters, expressed skepticism towards the accusations and the closures of cases under the scheme. He criticized the Post Office for not adequately investigating the cases, which he described as the worst scandal he had witnessed.

The public inquiry continues, with expectations to conclude in the summer and produce findings next year.