An accounting system utilized by Put up Workplace sub-postmasters earlier than the controversial Horizon software program was launched is more likely to have additionally been defective, an investigation has discovered.
A report mentioned “there was an inexpensive probability” that the IT system, referred to as Seize, may have created money shortfalls in accounts.
Seize was utilized in branches from 1992 to 1999, previous to the Horizon software program, which has been on the centre of the Put up Workplace scandal.
Put up Workplace minister Gareth Thomas mentioned he was “horrified” to be taught concerning the points with the Seize system.
Thomas mentioned he had met with some sub-postmasters who used the Seize system and thanked them for “coming ahead to speak concerning the impression it had on their lives and livelihoods”.
Between 1999 and 2015, greater than 900 sub-postmasters have been wrongly prosecuted after faults with Horizon made it appear like cash was lacking from department accounts.
The Horizon IT system has been on the coronary heart of what is been referred to as the UK’s most widespread miscarriage of justice.
However Monday’s report from monetary and danger advisory firm Kroll has revealed contemporary considerations over its predecessor Seize.
“We take into account that, based mostly on accessible proof, there was an inexpensive probability that Seize may have created shortfalls for sub-postmasters,” the report mentioned.
Investigators mentioned regardless of “varied management capabilities being in place” on the Put up Workplace, there was an “acknowledgement each in inner and exterior communications in the course of the Nineties that Seize had bugs and errors that assorted in severity”.
“Along with this, the burden positioned upon sub-postmasters to implement fixes, which assorted in complexity, along with a reliance on communications from Put up Workplace Restricted to determine these bugs and fixes, meant there was a excessive capability for errors to go unnoticed,” the report mentioned.
Kroll didn’t touch upon whether or not any convictions arising from sub-postmasters utilizing Seize may very well be thought of unsafe.
The federal government mentioned it might look at the report and “take into account what motion needs to be taken” earlier than making an announcement in December.
Kroll was requested in Might to conduct an investigation into Seize to see if there was an inexpensive probability the software program may have incorrectly created shortfalls for sub-postmasters, following considerations that, like Horizon, there have been recognized bugs and errors within the system.
