Ex-leaders of the Post Office, including Alan Cook and Sir Michael Hodgkinson, revealed during a public inquiry their unawareness of key operational issues during the Horizon IT scandal, leading to widespread miscarriages of justice.
Alan Cook, the former managing director of the Post Office from 2006 to 2010, admitted during a public inquiry that he was unaware the Post Office had the authority to prosecute its own staff during the Horizon IT scandal. This scandal, which occurred between 1999 and 2015, led to the wrongful convictions of over 700 subpostmasters due to faults in the Horizon system. Cook expressed regret over his lack of awareness and for an email he sent in 2009 that suggested misconduct by subpostmasters, which he acknowledged did not reflect his true views.
Similarly, Sir Michael Hodgkinson, who served as chairman of the Post Office from 2003 to 2007, testified that he did not take steps to investigate or correct issues with the Horizon system during his tenure. He stated he was unaware of staff prosecutions until much later and admitted to taking no actions when informed. He offered an “unreserved apology” to those affected.
Adam Crozier, former CEO of Royal Mail, also provided testimony, noting that external lawyers were significantly involved in the prosecutions of sub-postmasters, though he was unsure of the full extent of their involvement. Crozier outlined the internal governance structures, highlighting the autonomy of the Post Office within the broader Royal Mail Group.
The ongoing inquiry continues to investigate the accountability and decision-making within the Post Office during the period of the Horizon scandal, emphasizing the reevaluation of actions and policies by former executives. The UK Government has promised compensation for the wrongfully convicted, though many are still awaiting resolution.
