Fujitsu has agreed to start talks with the UK authorities on contributing to compensation for victims of the Publish Workplace scandal.
A whole lot of sub-postmasters have been falsely accused of stealing from their branches between 1999 and 2015.
Fujitsu developed the defective Horizon pc system answerable for inaccurate shortfalls in accounting which led to wrongful convictions. In addition they supported the Publish Workplace in its prosecutions.
Greater than a yr in the past, Fujitsu boss Paul Patterson stated the corporate had a “ethical obligation” to contribute in direction of redress for victims.
Enterprise secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Mr Patterson immediately held a “optimistic and constructive” assembly in Japan – the place Fujitsu agreed to start talks on compensation.
The UK authorities “welcomes Fujitsu’s repeated dedication to its ethical obligation to contribute” in direction of compensation for the Horizon scandal victims, a joint assertion stated.
Forward of the completion of the inquiry into the scandal, the pair “agreed to progress discussions concerning Fujitsu’s contribution, acknowledging many events are concerned,” it added.
Officers will “proceed to interact with Fujitsu”, however the UK authorities is not going to be making a “working commentary” on discussions, the assertion stated.
It additionally stated the federal government is “grateful” for Fujitsu’s engagement with the Publish Workplace inquiry “and its continued deal with delivering its public providers commitments within the UK”.
‘Utter shame’
It comes because the widow of a Post Office scandal sufferer, who obtained a compensation provide days after his loss of life, described her situation as an “utter disgrace”.
Janet Walters, 68, misplaced her husband Terry in February – per week earlier than a letter arrived providing “lower than half” of his unique declare for monetary redress.
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‘Completely disgusted by size of time it is taken’
Terry Walters was one among 555 sub-postmasters who received a authorized battle in opposition to the Publish Workplace in 2019.
Janet described the size of time many victims have needed to look forward to a proposal of compensation as one other “scandal”.
“I’ve instructed them I cannot settle for [the offer],” Janet told Sky News. “I feel it is an utter shame.
“It is a scandal what they did with the Horizon system, it is a scandal now due to the size of time it is taken [on redress].”
Protestors outdoors the Publish Workplace Horizon IT inquiry final yr. Pic: PA
1000’s ready for compensation
New figures present greater than £768m has been now paid to greater than 5,100 victims throughout all redress schemes.
The Division for Enterprise and Commerce stated this was a “greater than tripling” of the full quantity of redress paid since June 2024.
Learn extra:
Sub-postmasters still going through hell, says Alan Bates
Second Post Office IT scandal expands
There are, nonetheless, nonetheless lots of ready for compensation within the GLO (Group Litigation Order) scheme, with greater than 200 but to obtain full redress.
There are additionally greater than 4,000 but to be paid within the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), though since final month, over 700 have obtained compensation.
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Publish Workplace scandal youngsters search justice
In a separate assertion after the assembly in Japan, Mr Reynolds stated: “We should always remember the lives ruined by the Horizon scandal and no quantity of redress can take away that ache. However justice can and have to be achieved.
“This authorities is set to carry these accountable to account and can proceed to make fast progress on compensation and redress.
“Since we took workplace, we’ve greater than tripled the full quantity of redress paid to victims, and immediately we took one other vital step in direction of justice.”
